Council weighs $21,000–$25,000 fix for wastewater plant start-up spikes, orders closed-session legal review

At the Nov. 12 meeting Narrows council members reviewed technical testimony and a contractor quote to address repeated transfer-switch failures at the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

Staff described a recurring problem in which motors draw a large starting current spike, which causes the automatic transfer switch to drop out. The recommended mitigation is to install soft-start devices for two motors and to address wiring and transfer-switch wiring; staff presented a quote in the range of $21,000 to $25,000 for the work.

A council member said he was reluctant to spend more money on what he characterized as an avoidable design shortfall and asked whether a different transfer switch should have been specified originally. Another member warned adding components could introduce another point of failure. Town staff said the generator itself has been proven capable but that the current transfer switch is tripping on the startup spikes; a staff member said the soft‑start approach would make the installed system work.

Town attorney Mike Betts recommended the council discuss the design/specification questions and potential liability in closed session. The council voted to amend the agenda to add consultation with legal counsel and to move the wastewater treatment plant matter into executive session.

Council did not authorize the $21,000–$25,000 purchase on Nov. 12; members asked staff to obtain more technical information, manufacturer input and legal advice before moving forward.