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Franklin City utility reports two private-property leaks and vehicle strike that disabled station metering; tower nearly complete but awaits electrical service
Summary
Utility staff told the Franklin City board that two recent leaks occurred on private property and a vehicle struck a station at 20 Seventh and Ryan Road, melting a meter socket; the new water tower is largely built but cannot be filled until piping alignment and electrical service from We Energies are completed.
Utility staff reported to the Franklin City board on Aug. 19 that the utility experienced two substantial water leaks over the past two months — both on private property — and a separate incident in which a vehicle struck a station, damaging metering equipment.
"So the last 2 months have been busy. We had 2 substantial leaks, both on private property," said the utility staff member (Speaker 4), who described one leak under a commercial building slab and another affecting an apartment complex that had been repaired twice. Staff said the leaks were on private laterals and not caused by the utility’s mains, and that crews tried to account for lost water.
At 20 Seventh and Ryan Road, the staff member said, a vehicle collision struck the station control panel and "the meter socket was melted." Crews installed a new meter pedestal and restored power the same day, but staff said the incident left the station without remote visuals and metering until full repairs are completed. The staff member said insurance and the driver responsible should cover the repair costs and that staff will verify a police report filed by Oak Creek.
The board also received an update on the city’s new water tower. "The tower itself is pretty much done besides electrical work," the utility staff member said, noting interior work is complete but that piping from the tower is not in alignment and must be corrected before water can be placed into the structure. Staff estimated the transformer is already on-site and said the distance from transformer to the meter pedestal was "probably less than 300 feet," but that We Energies is responsible for completing service to the meter.
Staff warned that scheduling with We Energies and specialty contractors can take weeks, depending on location and availability. The utility has scheduled big-meter testing for the second week in November and said testing costs will rise next year.
The board was told the Saint Martin’s water main is in service and that the contractor holds retainage for landscaping; customers may tie in if they have laterals.
Staff said more substantial repairs remain at the damaged station, but that temporary fixes restored service. Next steps identified by staff include: confirming the police report, completing remaining electrical work and piping alignment so the tower can be placed into service, and finishing planned meter testing in November.
No formal vote on construction contracts or insurance settlements took place during this meeting. The utility staff said it will circulate additional documentation to board members and expects to return with more details at a future meeting.
