February 2026 Minutes
all minutes are in draft form
February 3, 2026
6:00 p.m.
United Church of Underhill
TRUSTEES PRESENT OPERATORS PRESENT WEB MANAGER
Joe O’Brien
Steve Jennings CLERK ASST. OPERATOR
Tanner Palmer Nancy Benson
1. Call to Order and Welcome. Joe O’Brien called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. The Agenda was adopted as presented.
2. Review and approval of minutes of previous meeting(s). Minutes from the December meeting were approved.
3. Review and approval of financial statements. The financial statements for December and January were approved.
4. Customer Comments.
Joe talked with Peter Geise of a tenant complaining of pressure and colored water. He called Joe back to say it was a problem on his end.
The owner of 131 Raceway Road talked with Joe about a pipe that broke and water was leaking. His furnace died, which led to the broken pipe. Joe and Brian started digging in a triangulation right on the shutoff. There was 6” of frost and the shutoff was 8” down. They couldn’t use the wrench and had to use the wrench that went straight down. They had to bring a pipe to add to the wrench to reach it. They got the water shut off.
Steve received a call from the mail lady on January 15 that the hydrant at Jacobs Hill was leaking. Steve tried to turn it and there was no resistance. There was a stream coming out and Steve tightened the cap, which seemed to take care of it. Steve asked Brian if anything was said to him and he said no and Steve didn’t hear back from him. Steve will get with Brian to confirm it is shut off. Steve spoke with the neighbor Alexander, who said he didn’t see anything. That hydrant was repaired three or four years ago. Joe will talk with Brian about testing it.
5. Operations Report.
Test Results and Testing.
Bacteria results negative.
Fluoride results within tolerance.
Routine testing and operations.
Brian received a quote from Ti Sales for remote readers.
Tanner said he was getting notifications that Maple Ridge was falling below 12 volts. Joe will ask Brian.
6. Old Business.
A. For the remaining sanitary survey work, the O & M Manual is the only thing left. We haven’t heard from Tim from Rural Water. Joe will check with Brian. Joe will also talk with Lane at SOS to see if he has reviewed.
We received a letter from the State of Vermont Groundwater Division. It is an amended permit to operate the Jericho-Underhill Water District. It says they need an electric copy of the O & M Manual by March 1, 2026. Tanner will reach out to Tim. It also mentioned a source protection plan for contamination within 200’ of Browns River. There is nothing for us to do.
B. On the Mill Development, we haven’t heard anything. Tatro has moved some equipment down and cleared some brush.
Joe and Steve went to the Jericho Riverside Waste Water Committee meeting. Steve said they seemed to be in the very preliminary stage. He said Joe answered everything and they were impressed. Joe said they were interested in how the water system was started. The committee is doing a lot of work. Joe told them we were not interested in running the sewer system. Joe and Steve both said it is very preliminary and there are a lot of politics involved. Logistically it is the place to start. Tanner said getting people to buy in the hard part. The committee has thought about adding Underhill residents. Steve asked what happens if the system fails. Tanner said if they replicate a mound system, they can re-dig.
C. Harvest Crossing had the State approved plan. That was the last hurdle and they are ready to go. Joe has not heard anything more.
D. We received a bid from Brook Field on the Poker Hill generator. Joe asked Marc what danger is if there is no backup generator. Marc said the customers would be without water. A motion was made and approved for the bid.
7. New Business.
A. Painting of the storage building will happen in the Spring. It may need more gravel for leveling. The roof has held.
B. We will wait for spring to see if the cistern is leaking and needs repair.
C. We will wait for spring for the hydrant replacement. We need to isolate that section. Two shutoffs were found and the third was farther away. The maps should be updated. Joe will get from Brian and contact O’Leary Burke for the cost to update.
D. Steve said he has purchased some thing for Brian. Will need the paint for the building and something to make the doors open easier.
E. Joe said they never dug for 22 Park Street.
Tanner is looking into the lead copper service line replacement. He asked if we know who reported an unknown line and Joe said no. He asked if we need to physically inspect the houses.
8. Next Regular Meeting. Next regular meeting March 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
9. Review and Approve Bills. Bills were reviewed and approved.
Adjournment. The regular meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Benson, Clerk/Treasurer
____________________________________
Joe O’Brien, President