1988 Annual Report
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS October 10, 1988
JERICHO - UNDERHILL WATER DISTRICT
UNDERHILL, VERMONT 05489
Although our proposed new well has not been constructed, the Jericho-Underhill Water District has progressed this year toward that goal and we expect to construct next year. All necessary lands have been purchased by the District, and final engineering plans have been completed. As of September 17, 1988, the State has not given final approval of the engineering plans but we believe that approval will come very soon.
It is anticipated that we will open bids for well development and water line construction on lower Poker Hill in late winter or early spring. If bids are offered at acceptable costs, then construction will be underway during the summer of 1989. Poker Hill Road has had test borings done and mapping of valves to get ready for installing a new 8" main line.
A review of District records revealed that the District has responsibility for maintenance and repair of the line serving the small development off Palmer Lane. However, at the time that responsibility was accepted
necessary rights to enter land and access the lines was not obtained. Such rights were obtained from the resident landowners this past year with one exception. When all rights of way are acquired, a small improvement project will be scheduled for those homes.
SYSTEM CAPACITY
Following serious water difficulties with the private water source at Big John's Riverside Store, the District honored a request to connect that store to the system. This request was granted because of an emergency water outage and for the public good. The moratorium still holds until new construction of the well and mains is underway.
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Back flushing and cleaning of the well points was begun this summer, but then ceased because of the exceedingly dry conditions which caused the pump system to repeatedly lose its vacuum. It was felt that it was too risky to continue with that maintenance until this fall. The pump that forces water to the small reservoir at the top of Maple Ridge Road finally wore out and was replaced this winter after many years of good service.
The storage shed has been stained and the windows were sealed with polyethylene sheet plastic.
Ken Mitchell was hired to construct a protective berm between the storage shed and the well field mound to prevent flooding of the well house and access road.
A new fluoridation pump was installed during the summer and Chet Willey has taken over our weekly fluoride samples.
SYSTEM REPAIRS
On two occasions this past year the storage tank telemetry malfunctioned. The telemetry registered full tank at the pump house when the tank was actually empty. Marc Maheux, our operator, made the necessary repairs
JERICHO - UNDERHILL WATER DISTRICT
UNDERHILL, VERMONT 05489
Annual Report of the Board of Directors Continued - Page 2
each time, and Greenmont Lumber kindly assisted in refilling the tank by allowing us to use their main well along with the District wells. Our thanks are extended to the Villeneuves and Greenmont Lumber for this assistance.
Service line repairs were made at Janet Post, Buel Metcalf, M/M David Langlois and M/M Roland Pelchat residences. Copper service lines were installed in accordance with our recently amended regulations. Main line connection leaks were found at the McGaughnea house on Palmer Lane and at the Hudson's business on Route 15. These connections were repaired and the curb stop on Palmer Lane was moved to the side of the road. Costs from the curb stop valve to the houses were absorbed by the respective property owners.
PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR
- Mapping of curb stop value locations.
- Construction of new well source and Poker Hill pipe replacement.
- Establishment of a back-up operator.
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Finish scraping and painting the storage shed at the existing well field.
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Install 300 feet, plus or minus, of new water main to replace inferior plastic pipe off Palmer Lane.