HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-05-2021 Minutes WSAC Regular MeetingWATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES | 1 of 3
Minutes
WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Remote regular meeting
7 p.m. Aug. 5, 2021
Virtual meeting via YouTube Live
Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel
Present: Chair Arthur Sprinczeles, Vice Chair Jenn Sykes, Member Daniel
Rawlins, Member Saru Salvi and Member Barry Weston,
Commissioner Evelyn Lloyd
Absent: Members Paul Cough and Barry Hupp (excused)
Staff: Town Manger Eric Peterson, Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz, Finance Director Tiffany Long
1. Call to order and welcome of guests
Chair Arthur Sprinczeles called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. There were no active guests who requested
to participate actively in the meeting. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.
2. Agenda changes and approval
Removed Item 5(d) – review of recurring items agenda
Motion: Vice Chair Jenn Sykes moved to approve as amended and to establish a quorum. Member Saru
Salvi seconded.
Vote: 5-0. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0.
3. Minutes review and approval
Minutes from regular meeting on May 5, 2021
Motion: Sykes moved to approve of the minutes as submitted. Salvi seconded.
Vote: 5-0. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0.
4. Updates
A. Utilities status report highlights
Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz indicated due to the low flow in the Eno River, a stage one water withdraw
restriction was put into place. This means a maximum withdraw for the water treatment plant is 1.51 million
gallons per day. If more is needed, the town must release more from the reservoir. She said the Phase 2
construction project is essentially complete. Remaining tasks are final inspections and dedication to NCDOT.
Member Saru Salvi asked about the main break numbers which were explained by Strandwitz. There were no
other questions about the status report.
B. Budget update
Strandwitz briefed the members on the key projects in the budget and some outstanding unfunded projects
that may be funded with some of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies. A discussion ensued about
the Commissioners’ decision to reduce the minimum water base Block 1 charge to 2,375 gallons per month
WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES | 2 of 3
from 2,500 gallons per month, its impact and justification. Sykes suggested putting available funding sources
as a line item in the Utilities Report. Strandwitz indicated she could generally put items that she becomes
aware about. As an example, Strandwitz discussed one new program she attended a meeting about that some
of our projects may qualify. Town Manager Eric Peterson discussed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) monies
and how it may be allocated. Sykes mentioned there are lots of retired grant writers that may be of
assistance. Strandwitz said the town’s procument policy must be followed and for Sykes to send names that
she can add to her consultant list.
C. Collection system modeling report update
Strandwitz gave a summary of the Phase 2 collection system model report, explaining the difference from the
Phase 1 report. In summary, there is a wet weather issue for the area that is tributary to the River Pumping
Station (i.e., old and leaking pipes). The Elizabeth Brady sewer basin will need to be upsized for future growth.
Committed flows through 2040 require improvements estimated at over $36.67 million dollars (including
River Pumping Station replacement). To accommodate potential flow, the estimate is over $42.74 million
dollars. This includes a large contingency as it is a high level estimate. The report made some prioritizations of
what to tackle first.
D. Development around town
Strandwitz shared the planning department’s monthly development report. People are living in the first part
of Collins Ridge while the remainder of the sewer system is being completed and certified. She discussed
other developments that are being completed like Forest Ridge and Fiori Hills. The Orange County Northern
Campus is coming online soon. She is also working with Harmony at Waterstone and Habitat for Humanity’s
Odie Street project to request board acceptance of that infrastructure. Strandwitz also noted the recent
developments the Board has already accepted.
E. Staffing and introduction of new finance director
Strandwitz introduced new finance director, Tiffany Long. She also updated on the utility department
vacancies.
5. Committee member updates
Member Daniel Rawlins recapped the workshop where Strandwitz discussed development fees. Strandwitz
explained further about the desire to assess additional fees with the idea that growth pays for growth and the
town needed more cost recovery. She explained how the town resources have been wasted by contractors
not ready for inspections or duplicate efforts. She also compared a hypothetical project’s fees amongst other
utilities and showed that the town charges are extremely low for the level of effort put into reviewing,
approving, observing and accepting a development. While she is working on that further, she is including
some of these fees in Water and Sewer Extension Agreements.
Member Barry Weston discussed the highlights of the June board meeting where the budget was adopted.
Sykes said the planning board meeting was canceled so nothing to report. Strandwitz also reminded the
members about the charter and asked what the preference is for the vacant in-town position – from 6 to 8
members are required. There was a discussion about the process. Sykes suggests discussing this again in
October and Sprinczeles wants a reminder in September.
Motion: Salvi made a motion to advertise for the vacancy, when time. Sykes seconded.
Vote: 5-0. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0.
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6. Discussion items
A. Rate analysis and direction
Strandwitz asked for discussion about when and how the committee wanted to meet with the board. She said
it is important to have the same priorities with the board to avoid going down the wrong path. Sykes did not
want to use the August workshop with the board. Salvi recommended that the committee discuss priorities
amongst themselves before meeting with the town board. The discussion turned to how this tied into the
committee’s meeting schedule, which was reduced in frequency due to the pandemic.
B. Meeting occurrences
Sprinczeles suggests meeting monthly because there is so much going on.
Motion: Salvi made a motion to start meeting monthly. Sykes seconded it. All were in favor.
Vote: 5-0. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0.
C. Future meetings
This topic was just to verify that the meeting schedule is good overall. Sprinczeles asked that it be distributed
to all committee members so everyone knows of the obligations. Salvi will send it out and have all members
confirm.
D. Future agenda items
Rates and new member discussion are two items along with the recurring items agenda.
7. Assignments for future meetings
Sprinczeles went over the actual assignments through October.
8. Adjournment
Motion: Weston moved to adjourn. Sykes seconded.
Vote: 5-0. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0.
The meeting ended at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
K. Marie Strandwitz, PE
Utilities Director
Staff support to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee
Approved: September 2, 2021