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Kanosh discusses meter-reading options and incremental upgrades to reduce staff time
Summary
Councilors weighed hiring or contracting meter readers, buying meter-reading software/readers for existing AMR meters, and pursuing a phased move toward AMI/Cell-network meters; staff will collect vendor quotes before the next meeting.
Kanosh — The Kanosh Town Council discussed options to reduce staff time spent on water-meter reads and to modernize the town’s metering system.
Staff outlined three tracks: (1) hire or contract two part‑time meter readers to perform manual reads each month; (2) purchase temporary readers and software to support the town’s existing AMR meters (automatic meter reading units); or (3) pursue a full AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) upgrade using new meters and cellular or mesh communications.
Council members and staff said the town has many older AMR meters whose reader hardware and software are becoming obsolete and that a full AMI upgrade would be considerably more expensive than interim fixes. Staff gave a range of likely costs discussed in the meeting: temporary readers and basic software for the town’s existing AMR meters were described as a relatively modest, short-term expense (staff estimated roughly $2,000–$3,000 for initial readers/software and about $600–$800 per reader as a rough market price), whereas a full AMI rollout previously discussed with vendors had a rough planning estimate in the low millions (an example figure discussed during the meeting was about $3.4 million for a complete full-AMI conversion). Council members noted the town already has funds earmarked for water-meter improvements and that installing remote‑read meters in the most time-consuming locations could reduce part-time read hours while preserving funds for a larger project later.
Staff also reported they have acquired hardware and accessories that could reduce installation time — including about 30 two-inch spacers to fit new meters into existing pits without extensive excavation — and that roughly 150 compatible center-type meters are already in the ground and earmarked for future reading improvements.
Council members expressed interest in a two-step approach: (A) address water meters first because they consume the greatest staff time; (B) bring firm quotes for readers, software and installation costs and present those numbers at the next meeting so council can vote. Several council members said they preferred contracting the reads rather than adding permanent town payroll and emphasized the need for bonded/insured contractors able to work on private properties.
What’s next: Staff will obtain quotes from meter vendors (including the previously consulted vendor CNI/Center and representatives who work with Itron meters), compile a cost estimate for a phased approach beginning with the water meters that take the most time to read, and return to council with a recommendation and a purchase proposal.
