Board discusses replacing broken meter yokes and installing dual-check valves to prevent backflow

Town staff reported multiple broken water meter yokes and outlined a plan to replace them with meter yokes that include dual-check backflow devices.

A staff member said the particular meter yoke they had on hand costs about $375 and that roughly seven or eight meters may need replacement. The speaker said the newer yokes allow the crew to remove a meter, raise or reconfigure the yoke without excavating the entire installation, which saves cost and reduces the need for the town contractor (JBAR) to dig.

The board discussed using the water fund to pay for replacements; a board member said that money in the water account should be available for meter work. Staff warned that on older houses replacing the yoke or installing the dual-check device can trigger leaks in household fixtures (toilets, water heaters) if the home lacks a pressure regulator or expansion tank; the town should notify customers in advance of the work.

Board directions included getting a price and parts list, replacing meters where feasible this year and scheduling additional replacements next spring if needed. No formal vote on funding appeared in the transcript.