Bicknell staff report new meter-reader software causing delays; well operating-permit work underway

Council and staff spent part of the Oct. 30 meeting on utility operations, reporting two separate but related items: problems with the new meter-reading system and an update on the town well.

Kelsey and Scott described the meter-reading experience since the town moved to the Itron SSL platform. Staff said the replacement of the older MVRS software has produced slower, inconsistent results: readers must approach meter lids closely, the system does not clearly report which remote reads it has captured, and the stored reading sequence is not organized in a practical route. "It is definitely a downgrade from the program we had before," one staff member said, and the council discussed reordering routes and short-term workarounds to speed collection.

Kelsey said the town will try to reorganize the reader route to a street-by-street order and seek support from the vendor if necessary; longer-term discussion included possible future upgrades to radio or satellite meter reading that provide near-instant reads to the office.

On the water-supply side, staff reported that the new well had been inspected by the onshore tier and that an operating-permit application was being processed. Scott said when the permit process is complete the town can alternate pumps between wells to reduce wear.

Next steps: staff will work on reordering meter-reading routes and will contact the vendor for technical support; staff will continue processing the well operating-permit and plan pump-alternation once the permit allows.