Water department reports large short-term loss, meter upgrades; town manager outlines six-month revenue position

Newland's water department reported operational repairs and a significant short-term loss of treated water while the council reviewed town finances for the fiscal half-year.

The water-department official (Water department official (S8)) said crews replaced a 2-inch valve and some cast pipe on Pershing Street, installed an electronic meter to replace an older manual meter that had been underwater, and reported wells dropping 20,000–35,000 gallons over two nights when a valve was off. "The total was about 35,000 gallons," the official said, and staff plan to collect samples from a nearby creek to check for chlorine or other causes of the loss.

Separately, the town manager (Town manager (S2)) presented a six-month general-fund revenue report showing $666,576.81 through six months and noted that some FEMA proceeds will be placed back into the utility fund to cover utility-related expenses. The manager also mentioned investigating a small business infrastructure grant for roads that must be tied to a business.

Water staff said they expect test results quickly after samples are submitted and will continue meter upgrades and hydrant flushing as part of routine maintenance. The transcript records operational next steps but does not include the test results or a budget decision on grant application details.

Ending: Staff expect water-sample results within about a day of the meeting and plan to pursue bids and repairs in spring; council discussed fiscal figures and grant options but did not adopt any new funding decisions in the recorded portion of the meeting.