Superintendent Prescott reports progress on water projects, new ultrasonic meters and pump repairs

Superintendent Prescott updated the governing body at the meeting on a range of water-system projects, saying crews have installed about 800 feet of new piping on School Street and are preparing pressure testing and fluorination for that section. "They've installed approximately 800 feet of new piping," Prescott said, adding crews may bring a second crew to accelerate work.

The superintendent reported the Lehi Avenue water-main replacement is complete and that roughly half that area has passed testing; new services have been installed for homes. Work on short dead-end streets such as Pond Avenue is underway, and Prescott said he expects the Smith Street corridor (including Oak Corridor and Reservoir Avenue) to be prioritized next.

On leak detection, Prescott said a recent survey identified five suspected leak locations; one leak was inside a trailer park on the customer's side of the meter and will be repaired by the park. "We identified five leak locations," he said, and staff are awaiting a final report to schedule repairs for the remaining sites.

The board discussed lead service-line replacement plans and a contract awarded to Tye and Bond Engineering Firm. Prescott said a September 30 deadline applies to a first phase and that a kickoff meeting with staff is planned. "We had awarded that to Tye and Bond Engineering Firm," he said, and staff will meet with the contractor next week to begin work.

Prescott also described the Front Street cleaning-and-lining contract: staff and the contractor have reviewed layout and access points, and the most recent contract version incorporates the changes the board requested and is ready for execution so the contractor can pursue highway permits and begin work on the Great Road to Saint Jude's section this fall.

Regarding pumps and treatment equipment, Prescott said Pump 3 on the Providence Connector has been rebuilt after debris damage and is operating well; a second pump shows similar leaking and is expected to be pulled and repaired next month. He estimated a repair cost on the order of $40,000–$45,000 for a pump refurbishment. "This one cost approximately 40,000, 45,000 to repair," Prescott said. He added the chlorination system is operational and staff will conduct hands-on training with operators so no one is "going in there blind."

The board also discussed converting to ultrasonic meters that have no moving parts and are radio-read. The chair described how replacing the older meters and rescinding a prior regulation that required homeowners to install pressure-reducing valves could preserve the town's control over meter seals and reduce homeowner maintenance burdens. The chair asked staff to present specifications and bring a meter sample at the next meeting.

Next steps: the board voted to accept the superintendent's report. Prescott and staff will provide the final leak-detection report and meet with the lead-replacement contractor; PaR Engineering will present its source-water assessment at an upcoming meeting, and staff will bring a meter sample and technical requirements for the new ultrasonic meters.