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Middletown committee reports: utility metrics, payment system change and park improvements
Summary
Commissioner reports covered water and wastewater production figures, nearly 600 MXU replacements, progress on PFAS mitigation at Wiles Branch Park wells, a resident's question about the bank lockbox payment route and staff's transition to a new online billing system, and parks and planning updates.
Commissioners used the Jan. 12 meeting to update residents on town operations, with detailed water and wastewater metrics and several community project reports.
Commissioner Jennifer Falcinelli (Water & Sewer) said the town has replaced approximately 598 MXUs to date. She reported current spring flow at roughly 26 gallons per minute (reported equivalently as 37,440 gallons per day) and cited December figures of 295,730 gallons for overall water use, 40,822 gallons for an alternate spring‑flow measure, East WWTP treating about 165,000 gallons and West WWTP treating about 146,000 gallons in December. Well testing at Foxfield Section 6 is expected to finish Jan. 15, and the town is advancing work to address PFAS at Wiles Branch Park wells while continuing to evaluate costs for a new wastewater treatment plant. The Water & Sewer committee will meet next on Jan. 28.
During the report, resident Henry Felicies asked why his quarterly bill could no longer be paid electronically through his bank's Truist lockbox. Town staff explained the municipality incurs both maintenance fees for the Truist lockbox and transaction fees; the new utility billing software offers e‑check and autopay options that eliminate the need for the lockbox. Staff offered to assist Mr. Felicies with setting up the new payment options.
Commissioner Rick Dietrick (Public Works) summarized recent public‑works tasks including toy‑drive deliveries, parking‑lot repairs near Aleko's, tree and limb removal in parks, storm‑drain piping replacement on Larch Lane, brine production for snow, truck maintenance, and the installation of a 'no stacking' sign at the primary school intersection. He noted parking‑lot lights at Green and North Church Streets were not working and proposed installing a solar light used elsewhere in town.
Commissioner Kevin Stottlemyer (Sustainability) outlined 2026 goals, the Green Expo to be hosted by the library, collaboration between St. Thomas Moore Academy and the Senior Center on raised beds, and placement of two community compost bin signs. Commissioner Larry Bussard (Planning) said the Planning Commission will review Foxfield 6 improvement plans in February and that the town attorney is reviewing a sidewalk easement MOU for the MS/ES replacement project with FCPS. Commissioner Chris Goodman (Parks & Rec) said a new swing set is being installed at Wiles Branch Park and that the town awaits a DNR grant decision in February for playground replacement.
The Town Administrator reported work with United Systems on a meter‑reading system upgrade and evaluating a loaner system in the interim for Itron readers; residents have requested bill adjustments for leaky toilets.
