Pine Cove Water District Secretary Becky Smith swears in new director Robert Hewitt at the monthly board meeting. Photo by Becky Smith

Pine Cove Water District Secretary Becky Smith swore in Robert Hewitt as the newest member of the district’s board. The board vote to nominate and elect Hewitt was 3 to 1, with one vote for Nancy Borchers. The ceremony took place at the board’s regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

 

The vacancy occurred when former director Dan Fandrich resigned in June. Besides Hewitt and Borchers, Elaine Hoggan and Mark Mitchell provided the board letters expressing interest in serving. Hewitt and Borchers attended the meeting and addressed the board, summarizing their interest, qualifications and background.

Hewitt has been employed with Los Angeles County’s Fire Department since 1978 and currently holds the rank of Battalion Fire Chief. He is nearing retirement and is currently receiving physical therapy for an injury. Hewitt said he has “experience in water systems and their management . . . [has] well-developed analytical and organizational skills in many arenas, especially on the subject of domestic and fire protection water systems.”

In other business, the board explained its workshop over a proposed tie in with or incorporation of Stonewood into the district’s water infrastructure. The board is waiting for any response from Stonewood.

General Manger Jerry Holldber reported that July production was very similar to the past two years, that static measuring well is down only 2 feet and that water loss has fallen from 15 percent at last measurement to 7 percent in this report. “I don’t yet have an answer for the difference,” said Holldber, who explained that his crew had not been able to find a prior leak or why the loss had been so greatly reduced.