Water use down in Pine Cove

Pine Cove Water District (PCWD) held its monthly meeting Wednesday, Oct. 11 with water use down. General Manager Jeremy Potter’s operations report showed production for September of 2,677,014 gallons, almost a million gallons less than last year. The wet winter, and summer rains, meant lower usage.

System loss was 7.5%, some of which Potter attributed to the response to an explosion and house fire in the Dutch Flats area. It is difficult to calculate water used from fire hydrants, he said.

Installing new “smart” meters will continue into fall as weather permits. The crew is now beginning the third of seven “books” of meters. Nick Gallegos from Smart Earth Technology visited to help with the changeover in billing procedure.

The land purchased from the county, formerly Pine Cove Park, is expected to enter escrow on the Oct. 15.

The new (used) mower attachment for the skid steer was purchased for $2,600 and tried out in Dutch Flats meadow. One worker was able to mow the area in a day and a half. When this work was performed by an outside contractor this summer, the work cost $2,300.

Refurbishing well #13 is complete and it is back online. It is “one of our best wells,” said Potter. Progress continues on the vehicle maintenance pit in the district yard; the block has been laid and grouted. After the wall is backfilled, prepping for the concrete slab will begin.

Maintenance Worker II Jensen Beri has started a welding course, “Strictly Pipe Welding.” Classes are twice weekly for eight weeks and will cost $7,000. Potter described this as “a benefit to the district” and “investing in employees.” He is certified for this type of welding, but “won’t always be there,” Potter said.

Director Lou Padula presented the recommendation of the ad hoc committee formed last month to address the rising cost of medical insurance, which was to continue the present policy. Employees will still be able to choose from “gold” and “platinum” plans for one person, a single dependent or a family plan, and PCWD will cover up to the cost of the platinum one-dependent plan, $2,431 monthly, and if they choose the more expensive family plan they would have to cover the difference, over $700, themselves. It was noted last month that only Office Manager Becky Smith, who is retiring next month, is enrolled in the platinum plan. The board approved the recommendation.

Potter also provided the board a “heads up” regarding one of PCWD’s vehicles, a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. After over $5,000 worth of repairs, the trouble light came back on before it could make it up the Hill. After another visit to the dealer, it was related that the truck had been “over-purposed” and “worked to death.” It has a four-cylinder engine and has been outfitted with racks and used to haul heavy loads, like “20 bags of concrete,” up and down mountain roads. A new engine would cost over $10,000.

Potter discussed buying a rebuilt engine for half that and installing it “in-house,” a job he and Beri can do. The truck can be nursed along and has been removed from heavy service. It may last a few more years, but a replacement should be considered in a future budget. He recommended a Toyota Tacoma with a V6.

A number of housekeeping resolutions were passed. Authorized signatures on the bank accounts will include Jennifer Hayes as she assumes more of Smith’s duties.

Potter, Hayes or President Robert Hewitt will sign Local Area Investment Fund transfers. The board also voted to continue the water conservation rebate program: More efficient toilets and washing machines, under sink “instant” hot water systems, and rain collection systems are all eligible, with total rebates for any property up to $250 in a calendar year. For details, ratepayers should contact PCWD before purchasing.

The next meeting is 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8.