Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Jefferson presents clean audit, wastewater UV system online; fire schedule change proposed
Summary
The town received a clean FY 2024-25 audit and staff reported the new UV disinfection system at the wastewater plant is operational; Fire Chief Miller proposed altering fire shift start times to permit medic shift work, a request Alderman Calvin Green opposed and the board asked the town manager to consult the medic base.
The Town of West Jefferson received a clean FY 2024-25 audit and staff reported operational updates for water and public safety services at the Feb. 2 Board of Aldermen meeting.
Priscilla Norris, CPA presented the FY 2024-25 audit and informed the board the town received a clean opinion. The board thanked her for the presentation.
WWTP Superintendent Brandon Patrick reported monthly rain totals of 0.75 inches and said the new UV disinfection system at the wastewater plant has been installed and is operational; one filter is currently running at the filter plant. Town Manager Brantley Price noted that some FEMA projects are pending permits and that completion of a sewer line installation has been delayed by winter weather.
Fire Captain Matt Lambert reported 98 calls for the month including four structure fires and said the department has faced challenges because of snow and ice during winter weather. Fire Chief Miller and firefighter Zachary asked the board to consider shifting the fire department schedule from 12-hour shifts starting at 7:00 a.m. to start times of 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. so employees could also work medic shifts; Alderman Calvin Green opposed the proposed change. The board requested that Town Manager Brantley Price contact the medic base to investigate whether schedule adjustments are feasible.
Town Manager Price provided several community statistics and development updates: taxes collected to date total 91% of the levy, November sales tax rose 1% over the prior year (year-to-date sales tax is up 4.8%), Paddy Mountain trail had 455 visitors in January and GE plans a 35,000-square-foot expansion with work starting in April and a projected completion in April 2027.
The board expressed appreciation to town staff and emergency personnel for recent work during winter weather and returned to business after a brief closed session.
