Board approves temporary bypass pump rental, several invoice payments and small account write-offs

The Burns Harbor Utility Board approved multiple operational and financial actions at its meeting, including rental of a temporary bypass pump, payment of emergency vendor invoices, and write-off of several small, aged delinquent accounts.

Superior Pumping submitted a quote for a 4-inch Godwin bypass pump at $600 for one day (install/remove technician time included) plus fuel; the board authorized a rental authorization not to exceed $1,000 to cover potential extra days or fees. The board also approved payment of five vendor invoices that included emergency station support and flow-meter inspection charges from American Water, Gasvoda & Associates and Superior Pumping.

On accounts receivable, staff asked the board to close and write off four long-dormant accounts (account numbers and amounts were read into the minutes); the board approved closing those accounts and writing off their small balances to ease administrative overhead. Separately, the board voted to waive a $6.31 late fee for account 1323 after staff noted the customer made a timely payment that the system processed as late due to timing.

Board members stressed the need to keep parts and spares on hand — fuses, motor starters and service for portable generators that had to run for multiple days during the storm — and asked staff to return with firm quotes for flow-meter parts identified by Gasvoda (sensors and chip boards at multiple stations). The board voted by roll call on motions; specific mover/second names were not recorded in the transcript for every motion, but roll-call confirmations were captured.