HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-03-2019 Minutes WSAC Regular Meeting
Utilities Analyst Julie Laws
105 E. Corbin St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-296-9630 | julie.laws@hillsboroughnc.gov
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Agenda | 1 of 2
Minutes
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee
7 p.m. October 3, 2019
Town Hall Annex Board Meeting Room, 105 E. Corbin St.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Barker Paul Cough, Barry Hupp, Daniel Rawlins, Saru Salvi, Arthur Sprinczeles, and
Jenn Sykes
MEMBERS ABSENT: Barry Weston (excused)
STAFF PRESENT: Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz and Public Information Officer Catherine Wright
GUEST(S) PRESENT: Commissioners Evelyn Lloyd and Jenn Weaver
1. Call to order and welcome of guests
Chair Dan Barker called meeting to order at 7 p.m. and welcomed guests.
2. Agenda changes and approval
No changes were made to the agenda.
3. Minutes review and approval: September 5, 2019, meeting
Member Paul Cough moved to accept minutes from the September 5, 2019, meeting as amended with one
spelling change, seconded by Member Saru Salvi. Minutes were approved as amended.
4. Reports from Board of Commissioners Meetings
A. Meeting September 9: Paul Cough reported about a board resolution regarding the town’s 2018 Local
Water Supply plan, as accepted in good order by the state. He also reported that a lot of economic
development projects were discussed at that meeting, one of which is on Rosewood Cemetery Road. This
proposal would allow for 60 doublewide homes, and they would like to connect to both water and sewer.
This project meets the increasing demand for low income housing but is not desired because of the
proposed demand on the town’s sewer system. The town commissioners do not want to annex this area
or maintain another pump station in order to supply sewer service. Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz
stated the owner must form an HOA or POA to maintain the station. However, HOAs and POAs rarely
follow through on maintaining pump stations and the state would eventually force the town to take it
over. There was some discussion about septic tanks, but these lots will be too small for septic fields, and
the land does not percolate. The owner believes the town is trying to avoid allowing more mobile homes,
but the board maintains that their reason for not allowing the project is the sewer system and required
pump station.
B. Board Work Session September 23: Member Barry Hupp did not attend. Member Jenn Sykes stated that
Stormwater and Environmental Services Manager Terry Hackett updated the board with stormwater
report at this meeting. Strandwitz shared that the water and sewer extension agreement with Orange
County was reviewed. Orange County has declined to put in a sewer bar screen at the new prison site,
and the town will need the specifications of what they’re going to construct instead. The main for that
area will only serve that property, so staff will be able to know where rags, grease, and other debris
comes from.
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Agenda | 2 of 2
5. Updates
A. Utilities Status Report Highlights: Marie Strandwitz stated that repairs on the cemetery pump station are
going forward earlier than planned. Forest Ridge pressure issues are ongoing. Hazen & Sawyer have
currently switched their modeling duties at the OWASA site to focusing on Forest Ridge instead. One
property owner, whose property is high on the ridge, calls the utilities office whenever pressure drops
there. This appears to be a different issue than other residents not being able to use two faucets at same
time. The town has received documentation from the Forest Ridge developer to take over the pump
station, and this item will be placed on the board’s consent agenda soon. Strandwitz stated that the
kickoff for the collection system modeling has occurred, and that the town should get a deliverable by the
end of this year. Also, the deliverable for the Adron Thompson facility is due next week. DOT has
completed plans for the $2.57M road project at Carr Store and Mill Creek Roads, although work has not
started. This will complete the work on Phase 2 of the West Fork Eno Reservoir.
6. New and Schedule-Based Business
A. Tampering fines policy: Strandwitz provided a handout with the town’s code regarding tampering, and the
list of associated fines. Most tampering occurs with building contractors or residents turning their water
back on after cutoffs for non-payment.
B. Voluntary water restrictions: Strandwitz discussed the need for rain and the low stream flow in the Eno
River. The town participates in a voluntary capacity use management plan with the Eno Users Group to
keep aquatic life balanced. If the town had not voluntarily entered into this agreement, the state would
have mandated it. The town releases a minimal amount at a certain CFS (cubic feet per second) to keep
the stream flow at a healthy level and is releasing through both reservoirs. If necessary, the town can
release more and withdraw less and will have to issue restrictions. The town has requested voluntary
conservation from residents at this time. Orange County stated that they had 36 days’ supply left in Lake
Orange, which had kept the town in the voluntary range. When the levels fall enough to equal water
supply below 135 days, the town must enter mandatory restrictions. An old 2003 Lake Orange capacity
chart was then found in former Utility Director Kenny Keel’s old files that showed Stage 2 being at 24
inches below full. Orange County has clarified that they presently have 36 days until Stage 2, rather than
a total of 36 days. With this new information, Strandwitz is confident that the town has 200+ days
capacity left in the reservoir. For this reason, the town will continue with voluntary restrictions.
Strandwitz may consider increasing the release but must get verification from the state.
7. Public Comments
No one from the public attended the meeting.
8. Future agenda items
A. 2019 Board Assignments: Julie Laws
B. Member Term Expirations: Julie Laws
C. Drought Code/Ordinance Review: Dan Barker
D. Rate Model: Stephen Lapp, UNC Environmental Finance Center
9. Upcoming assignments for Board of Commissioners meetings
A. Meeting October 14: Barry Weston (Saru Salvi, substitute) Salvi agreed to cover this meeting in Weston’s
absence.
B. Joint Public Hearing with Planning Board October 17: Dan Barker (Jenn Sykes, substitute)
C. Board Work Session October 28: Arthur Sprinczeles (Paul Cough, substitute) Sprinczeles can attend.
10. Adjournment
Sykes moved to adjourn at 8:05 p.m., seconded by Salvi.