HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-06-2017 Minutes WSAC Regular Meeting
MEETING MINUTES
WATER SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, April 6, 2017
7:00 PM Town Barn
101 East Orange Street · P O Box 429 · Hillsborough, NC 27278 · 919 732 1270
Members Present: Dan Barker, Frank Cohen, Scott Jennings, Volker Mittendorf, Saru Salvi, Arthur
Sprinczeles
Members Absent (excused): Aaron Butner, Jim Parker
Staff Present: Julie Laws, Kenny Keel, Eric Peterson, Phil Cordeiro
1.1 Call Meeting to Order & Welcome to Guests
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chair Frank Cohen.
1.2 Consideration of Additions/Changes to Agenda
Julie Laws asked that the reappointment of Jim Parker to a second term be added to the agenda.
1.3 Consideration and Discussion of Past Minutes
Approved as read. Arthur moved to accept, seconded by Scott.
2.1 Reappointment of Jim Parker. Town board is looking at how to vet candidates and is asking boards
to hold off for a few months until they can get through this process. Dan moved to reappoint Jim,
seconded by Artie.
2.2 Reports from Committee Assignments for Previous Months
March 13 – Regular Board Meeting – Dan Barker subbed for Aaron Butner, but was not able to
attend. Eric related that Collins Ridge was accepted. Corbinton Commons utilities were accepted.
Eric came back and discussed the Water Usage Model, and the need for more commercial
development. There was also discussion about how HB436 is targeting Orange County regarding
impact fees, and cap fees for water systems. Boards are working against this, and League of
Municipalities is also working against it.
March 27 – Board Work Session/State of the Town – Volker Mittendorf attended. The focus of this
meeting was the State of the Town, which also highlighted our WWTP. There was also discussion at
this meeting about Fathom not working out. The positive outcome of reducing our minimum usage
to 2500 gallons was also mentioned.
2.3 Engineering Status Report Highlights
Kenny gave highlights for utilities and engineering projects. DOT project is scheduled to go before
the Town Board Monday night. Overall cost for the project will be over $8M. Flushing was
completed on March 30. Dan asked if hydrants were also checked during flushing for any problems.
Kenny states that our crews document any notes, such as needing paint, grease, etc. Dan asked that
we check the hydrant near his house for paint.
101 East Orange Street • P. O. Box 429 • Hillsborough, NC 27278 • 919 732-1270 x85
3.1 James McKelvey presentation about fluoride.
Mr. McKelvey told the Committee what high levels of fluoride can do to people, and said that his
son had experienced fluorosis as a child, which discolored his teeth. Dan brought up the fact that
high levels are also found in ground and well water in certain areas. Utah and Colorado, for
example, have more cases of fluorosis due to naturally occurring high fluoride. Dan discussed our
water analysis vs toxic levels, and how our water was very low on the range of acceptable fluoride.
He said that a person would have to drink 15 gallons of water, without urination all day, which
would probably make the person sick on their stomach at the most. He said it is still not toxic at that
level.
Frank asked what Mr. McKelvey would like the committee to do. He answered that he would like
for the Town to stop adding fluoride in the system. Scott stated that fluoride is our country’s only
part of nationwide governmental health care, as other countries all have universal health care. Both
sides have correlational studies that don’t prove much. Frank asked Kenny what would be required
by the WTP to remove fluoride from the system. Kenny is not sure what the Public Water Supply
Division would say, and that DHHS would have more say in the matter. Kenny would like to get
information from school systems, DHHS, and other agencies before putting this to a vote in
Hillsborough. Dan and Arthur looked into systems that don’t require fluoride, and they are all in the
southwest, including California. There are only 6 major systems that do not require fluoridation in
their water supply.
Saru asked to put this item on the agenda again after Kenny gathers more information. Frank said
this is a public health concern, and Scott suggested that this is not the correct forum for making these
decisions. He suggested that we gather information and move up the line to the elected officials.
Dan said that it is in the realm of the committee, and that the recommendation should come from us.
Mr. McKelvey states that fluoride is a mass RX for the community. Howard stated that a staff
member has to manually turn a valve to inject the fluoride instead of relying on a computerized
method. Dan suggested that we need expert opinions, and that our dosage should not be harmful.
Frank asked Kenny to get research from school systems, health systems, and other sources. Dan
recommended tabling this item for 4 months (2 meetings) and revisit documentation from Kenny
before proceeding. This recommendation was put to a vote, in which Saru and Frank voted no. The
motion passed by majority vote. Kenny will share information at the August meeting.
3.1 Bill Assistance Program Update
Saru Salvi updated the committee on this program’s efforts. Phil investigated using inserts with
Fathom’s billing, and designed a 4x6 flyer. The Town will be participating in Last Fridays and will
distribute financial reports and flyers to generate interest in the program. The Town’s billing
statement will now have a space to complete for volunteering for this program. The Last Friday’s
Town booth will have other components besides Finance. Artie will take flyers to the Rotary Club,
and asked if Phil could come speak to that group.
3.2 Fathom Update
Dan moved going into closed session for this item, and Saru seconded. All in favor. There are
separate minutes for this closed session.
101 East Orange Street • P. O. Box 429 • Hillsborough, NC 27278 • 919 732-1270 x85
4.1 Suggested Future Agenda Items for Upcoming Months
1. Frank asked that James McKelvey come back in August after Kenny’s research. Julie will
contact him before the meeting.
4.2 Upcoming Board Assignments
April 10 – Regular Board Meeting – Frank Cohen (Arthur Sprinczeles, sub)
April 20 – Joint Meeting w/Planning Board – Dan Barker (Jim Parker, sub)
April 24 – Board Work Session – Scott Jennings (Aaron Butner, sub)
May 8 – Regular Board Meeting – Saru Salvi (Volker Mittendorf, sub)
May 22 – Board Work Session – Frank Cohen (Arthur Sprinczeles, sub)
5.1 Adjourn
Motion to adjourn at 9:00 PM, by Dan, seconded by Scott, all in favor.
Next Meeting: June 1, 2017