Huntingdon Still in Turmoil Over Water Department

HUNTINGDON (June 5) — Brown water and grinder pumps continue to take center stage in the Town of Huntingdon. During the Public Works Committee Meeting, the press and non-Public Works Employees were requested to leave the meeting temporarily as the board moved into an executive session with the town’s attorney Robert Keeton, III.

While the press was not made privy to the discussion, it was later learned through second-hand knowledge the discussion focused on Ordinance No. 531 on grinder pumps. Currently, The Banner has not been made aware of pending lawsuits or a threat thereof.

In order to declare or move into an executive session, “a governing body can go into executive session with the city/town attorney. Multiple members of a governing body can go into a closed gathering with the city/town attorney when: the discussion concerns a pending lawsuit; the governing body is a named party; and the members of the governing body provide facts about the lawsuit to the city/town attorney and the city/town attorney provides the members legal advice based upon the facts presented."

So the question remains of the legitimacy of the executive session and a possible violation of the Sunshine Law or Tennessee Open Meetings Act. A board or governing body can not meet in a closed-door/secret meeting because they fear the threat of public input or recourse.

In business conducted before the press, Board Chairman Carl Byars stated/read Ordinance No. 531. The ordinance reads, “For areas outside the city limits, individual applicants for a residential or business grind pump connection, the minimum fee for one grinder pump connection shall be $3,500. Should the actual cost to the town for said connection exceed the minimum charge, there shall be added to this minimum fee a sum representing the actual cost of labor and materials in excess of $3,500."

Attached to the agenda were the parts and fees listed for grinder pumps. It was advised to provide some paperwork regarding warranties to the customers purchasing the pumps.

The sewer rate was discussed for individuals outside the city limits. The current rate is approximately $61 a month. The purpose of the discussion came from residents near or around Lake Halford. Huntingdon provides the sewer utility and the water utilities are based out of Cedar Grove.

Councilperson Kelly Eubanks requested clarification from the previous council meeting on the 3% water rate increase. Eubanks asked if the rate increase was a mandate from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office. Mayor Smothers replied it was a “hard recommendation.” The reason for the recommendation is a preventative measure from having the Comptroller set an extremely high water rate in the future as a way to stop revenue losses.

Discussion was had on the pre-treatment audit. In the audit, it was stated that at the request of Granges, there was a need for revisions.

Ammonia levels in the water were also noted as being “high” but the issue was resolved with aeration to the lines.

Tim Strnad took part in a Lead Copper Rule Webinar. Strnad stated the Town of Huntingdon did not need to worry as there were no lead lines that fed into galvanized lines. He was also recognized by Mayor Nina Smothers for receiving multifaceted Wastewater certifications.

Mayor Smothers made a statement on the State Water Infrastructure Grants (SWIG), “We are currently in the process of finalizing the Agency-Managed Projects Fiscal Year 2023 grant opportunity. We expect the AMP grant will be open for solicitation during the summer. Once the solicitation is open, it will remain open for approximately 30 days before it is closed. After the solicitation period, SWIG will take 60-90 days to review the applications before announcing awards. Once awards have been announced, there is approximately a 60-90 day period to finalize and execute contracts. Once the contracts are executed, the grantee can start their AMP project.

“I apologize for not being able to provide you with definitive dates. The SWIG team is working to finalize the grant along with the expected timeline. We expect to release information regarding specific dates in the future.”

New hires were noted. Mike Lowe is joining the Water Department on a three-day basis. Austin Prater is joining the department and has experience with other municipal utility districts.