Council reappoints advisory‑board members; Water Advisory Committee outlines next steps for system marketing

Oak Ridge — The Town Council reappointed two Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members and confirmed appointments to the Water Advisory Committee, and the water committee reported plans to begin marketing and outreach now that the water main contract has been awarded.

The council voted to reappoint John Browning and Mike Kimmel as regular members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The council also reappointed Brian Hall as a regular member of the Water Advisory Committee and appointed Todd Hall and Paul Magna Bosco — previously alternates — as regular members of the Water Advisory Committee. The motions were moved and seconded and carried on voice votes.

Spencer Sullivan, chair of the Water Advisory Committee, reported that the committee met on July 9 with three local developers to discuss proposed text amendments related to the new municipal water system. Sullivan said the committee will draft final recommendations and begin implementing a marketing plan to familiarize residents with the municipal system and encourage nearby connections. "This will include mailing out a brochure that the committee developed and holding some open houses in the fall," Sullivan said.

Sullivan and other committee members said the committee’s immediate tasks will include public information and outreach to build a customer base for the newly awarded water main and to help accelerate revenue positive operations for the water enterprise fund.