Palmyra utility board approves water rate pass-through, $33,000 pump rebuilds and emergency sewer payments

The Palmyra Utility Board voted to implement a water-rate adjustment that passes through an increase in the wholesale cost of water and to approve several near-term infrastructure repairs during its meeting.

Board member Deborah Atkins introduced the ordinance amendment, saying the adjustment is "solely related to the cost of the purchasing water from Ry" and not to the town’s operating costs. Board members stated the adjustment equals $0.97 per 1,000 gallons.

In response to repeated main breaks and high system losses, staff and consultants recommended steps to reduce outages, including installing additional isolation valves and rebuilding aging pump units at the Whiskey Run booster station. A vendor estimate presented during the meeting indicated a motor rebuild labor cost of roughly $16,500 per motor; the board approved rebuilding two pumps and motors — a package the board discussed as about $33,000 in total — and agreed to schedule work in fall or winter when demand is lower.

Cameron, a representative from Metron Waterers, demonstrated the WaterScope metering platform and said it can produce near-real-time usage readings and leak alerts so both customers and the utility can respond faster. "It gives you readings right down to the exact minute from the previous day," Cameron said, adding the system can send leak notices to customers and utility staff.

The board also addressed a sewer emergency at the library pump station. Members heard that one replacement pump had to be purchased at $6,498 and that contractors billed for multiple emergency pumping sessions; the board approved payment of the pump vendor invoice and related emergency pumping invoices (amounts stated in the meeting).

Other approvals tied to utility operations included payment of a remaining $28,000 contract balance for a six-foot fence and keypad at the sewer plant, which the board said would be paid from ARP funds.

The board generally handled these items by voice motion; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript. Where dollar amounts were stated in the meeting, the board included them in motions and approved the actions during the session.

The board said next steps include scheduling the pump rebuilds for lower-demand months, collecting quotes for valve installation, and returning with purchase orders and contract paperwork for the approved repairs.