HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-02-2017 Minutes WSAC Regular Meeting
MEETING MINUTES
WATER SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 2, 2017
7:00 PM Town Barn
101 East Orange Street · P O Box 429 · Hillsborough, NC 27278 · 919 732 1270
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Arthur Sprinczeles, Volker Mittendorf, Aaron Butner, Saru Salvi,
Jim Parker, Dan Barker
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT-EXCUSED: Frank Cohen, Scott Jennings
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Will Baker, Julie Laws, Jenny Overman, Eric Peterson, Phil Cordeiro
GUEST(S) PRESENT: Mayor Tom Stephens
1.1 Call Meeting to Order & Welcome to Guests
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dan Barker.
1.2 Consideration of Additions/Changes to Agenda
3.1 will be postponed until April 6 meeting. Will Baker will be speaking on 2.2 tonight.
1.3 Consideration and Discussion of Past Minutes
Minutes were accepted with one change. On October 10th Volker Mittendorf attended, but there was
nothing water or sewer related. Jim Parker moved to accept minutes with change, seconded by
Volker Mittendorf.
2.1 Reports from Committee Assignments for Previous Months
December 12 – Regular Board Meeting – Scott Jennings (Arthur Sprinczeles, sub). Scott Jennings is
absent tonight so there is no report on this meeting.
January 9 – Regular Board Meeting – Arthur Sprinczeles (no sub) – Meeting was cancelled due to
snow.
January 19 – Joint Public Hearing w/Planning Board – Dan Barker (Jim Parker, sub) Dan was out of
state and missed the meeting. Collins Ridge was discussed and the Mayor stated that
questions about this development should be addressed to the Planning Department.
January 23 – Board Work Session – Saru Salvi (no sub). Did not attend.
2.2 Engineering Status Report Highlights
Will Baker shared highlights from the Engineering and Stoplight reports. March 1 will be the start
date for spring flushing. WFER is full. No SSO’s. At the February 13 board meeting, the
Collections Department will be receiving an award. Al Robertson will also be receiving the
Collector of the Year award.
3.1 Capacity Report and Discussion - Moved to April meeting.
Kenny Keel will answer any questions at the April 6 meeting, along with the Budget report.
101 East Orange Street • P. O. Box 429 • Hillsborough, NC 27278 • 919 732-1270 x85
3.2 Fathom Update
Eric Peterson provided a handout with numbers and information about costs and benefit projections
for continuing the project. The project will cost about $300,000 more per year than was estimated.
Fathom and Eric are trying to work things out, but are also considering exit strategies and other
options. Phil Cordeiro and Jenny Overman discussed customer service issues and ongoing
discussions with Fathom to provide better service. Now that Tyrone is the only meter reader, he is
being overloaded with work orders. Phil is interviewing someone who could work part-time to help
with Tyrone’s meter reading duties. Part of the problem is that Fathom is sending Tyrone out to re-
read numerous meters with incorrect readings. Customers are not happy with level of customer
service provided by Fathom. There was also confusion about new account numbers during the first
month. Customers were trying to pay online but could not because they were not aware they had
been assigned new account numbers by Fathom. Dan Barker suggested that UNC shops can make
the meter lids, as they are approved to work with other government systems. Phil is interviewing a
part-time meter assistant tomorrow. Tom discussed the credibility of the Town with this system. He
has heard a lot of public outcry against outsourcing instead of using local people for those jobs.
Committee members should send any questions or concerns to Julie to forward to Eric.
3.3 Reimbursement of Deposits Discussion
Aaron Butner and Jim Parker proposed tabling the discussion for now in light of Fathom problems.
The rest of committee agreed.
3.4 Utility Bill Assistance Program - Promotion Discussion
Scott Jennings was absent again. Saru Salvi said she’ll be willing to drive the committee. Eric
Peterson suggested letting OCIM do the promotion/press on this program. Eric can suggest to
Catherine Wright, PIO Officer, that she help us. Voted by acclamation to allow Saru to head the
committee now.
4.1 Suggested Future Agenda Items for Upcoming Months
o Kenny Keel to present Budget & Capacity reports at the April 6 meeting.
o Invite Troy Miller to talk about FOG, maybe in June. Invite Al Robertson at this time, too.
o Arthur Sprinczeles suggested that we call a meeting for March 2nd, so that we can continue
discussion of FATHOM. Julie will “notice” the meeting with Catherine Wright. If there are
no further updates before that meeting, we will cancel and meet April 6th as previously
scheduled.
4.2 Upcoming Board Assignments
February 13 – Regular Board Meeting – Saru Salvi (Volker Mittendorf, sub)
February 23 – Joint Mtg with Orange County (Link Bldg.) – Arthur Sprinczeles (sub for F. Cohen)
February 27 – Board Work Session – Jim Parker (Scott Jennings, sub)
March 13 – Regular Board Meeting – Aaron Butner (Dan Barker, sub)
March 27 – Board Work Session – Volker Mittendorf (Saru Salvi, sub)
5.1 Adjourn
Aaron Butner moved to adjourn at 8:25 pm, seconded by Jim Parker, with no opposition.