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Board discusses training, contract language on customer cutoffs and hears residents seeking city water
Summary
The Harsall Trustow Water Sewer Utility Board discussed required board training, directed staff to research reinstating mandatory customer cutoff language in service contracts, agreed on a hiring timeline for a general manager, and heard public requests for water service from residents on Claiborne Lane.
Board members at the Harsall Trustow Water Sewer Utility Board discussed required board training, directed staff to research restoring contract language that requires customers to maintain their own cutoff valves, agreed on a hiring timeline for the general manager position and heard public comments from residents seeking city water service on Claiborne Lane.
The board chair opened by welcoming new member Ben Fiach and reminded members that initial board training is required through the comptroller’s office of the state of Tennessee. Board members said the training totals about eight hours for new appointees, is delivered in modules, and that completed certifications should be returned to staff member Emily for the board record.
General Manager Kenny Britt reported modest increases in water loss for November and December and said the utility is still in compliance. Britt said colder weather had caused leaks that likely contributed to higher readings and that meter calibration issues may be affecting apparent water losses. He told the board he would gather the data and return with a fuller report.
Britt raised a separate item about contract language. He said a prior customer-service contract required customers to have and maintain their own service cutoff valves, but that language was removed in a more recent version (the board discussed Title 18, section 125 in passing). Britt said he would research why the change was made, including whether it originated with the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts or another party, and bring a recommendation back to the board next month; members asked staff to review developer agreements as part of that work.
On staffing, the board agreed to form a hiring committee for the general manager vacancy and discussed a recruitment timeline. The board agreed to advertise for 30–45 days and to allow approximately two months for the overall application and review process; at least one board member volunteered to serve on the committee and asked to receive the draft job advertisement by email before posting.
During public comment, three residents from Claiborne Lane — identified in the record as Doug Glass (445 Claiborne) and Sherry and Thomas Sorrells (450 Claiborne) — asked about extending city water to their road. Board staff explained that the road currently ranks near the top of the utility’s feasibility list (described to residents as “number 2” on the department’s list), but that federal or state grant funding has been denied for several such extensions. The board said extensions not covered by grants must be funded by the utility’s users; staff said the department had applied for multiple grants previously and had been denied in many cases.
Staff estimated the distance from the distribution main to the residents’ properties would involve roughly 2,300 feet of extension (this figure was discussed as approximate on the record) and described the utility’s larger capital plan as a 20-year program to extend service incrementally. Board staff said they would continue to pursue feasibility and funding and encouraged residents to follow up with staff for details.
The board closed its meeting after member comments and adjourned.
