Utilities request: water tower rehab, new meter test bench and flood pumps on CIP list

Utilities staff reviewed several capital items tied to resilience and compliance: a water-tower painting and rehabilitation project estimated at roughly $1.2 million, a proposal for a new automated water meter test bench to reduce recurring contractor costs, and a trailer-mounted pump (trash pump) to augment emergency pumping capacity.

The utilities presenter said the tower painting and rehab is costly but aimed at extending asset life, and that the water utility has reserves earmarked for such work. On the meter test bench, staff argued the purchase could pay for itself over a decade by reducing external testing costs: "With the test bench, that's money that could be saved," the presenter said. Staff recommended funding some items from utility reserves but acknowledged certain projects might require borrowing if reserves are insufficient.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about whether the utility garage can be built at the proposed site (wetland delineation and environmental work pending) and whether adaptive-management funds for phosphorus compliance would be spent only if landowner projects materialize. Staff said many utility items are contingent on grants or landowner participation and pledged to refine the funding mix for the board.