Possible Reservoir Project Is Stalled

By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor

On Monday, Sept. 27, the Dade County Water and Sewer Authority held a special meeting to discuss the potential water reservoir project.

The authority went into executive session, and no action was taken. Attorney Michael McRae, a lawyer from Cedartown, addressed the community afterward.

“This concerns the issue of whether to move forward with a potential water reservoir here in Dade County. The matters concerning what we discussed are legally privileged and confidential because they effect property, and we have not made any decisions associated with that,” McRae said.

McRae continued, “I was directed to come up with documents to provide to the public after a certain period of time. I have told the authority members that they may not discuss this. Under Georgia law, matters concerning property and issues associated with it are not matters that are part of open records. Once we make a decision, we will be making public comments at the appropriate time.”

“I am sorry that this is taking time and it is a complicated situation. We are doing the best we can to move forward,” McRae said.

The Authority held their regular meeting a day later on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

New member Daniel Glecier introduced himself to the community. Glecier is filling the unexpired term of H. A. McKaig.

Glecier lives on Lookout Mountain, and works at Cloudland Canyon State Park as a park ranger. His older children have all gone to Covenant College, and his youngest is a senior at Dade County High School.

“We absolutely love it here. I want to see the community move forward,” said Glecier.

The Authority agreed to purchase a new directional drill. The current drill that the authority owns, a 1992 Ditch Witch 5110D, is no longer working properly.

“The last time we made a bore with this, it was a one inch bore, and it took us two and a half days to get that done,” General Manager Sherri Walker said.

In the process, two boring rods were broken, one boring head burned up and one boring cutter was broken.

The Authority voted to purchase a Vermeer D10X15S3 Horizontal Directional Drill for $183,666.27. Walker noted that the maintenance manager and supervisor went down to Atlanta to use the Vermeer simulator.

Walker updated the authority on project updates. Water main upgrades are estimated to be complete on Oct. 25. To date 9,773 feet of water line has been installed. The meter replacement program start date is delayed until more meters can be shipped. Pump station upgrades are expected to start between Oct. 11 and Nov. 8, because there are material supply issues with the contractor. The rehabilitation of water storage tanks is in progress. Work on the Lookout tank will begin in October. The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant project is expected to be completed on Oct. 13.

The Verdaka security camera system installation was completed last month. There are nine cameras total, with three in the main office, three in the maintenance shop, and three in the treatment plant.

Elizabeth Zeller presented the financial report. The total income for the month of August was $364,167.87. Total expenses for the month were $263,479.34. There were 6,395 payments processed, and 229 work orders processed. There were 127 line locates, 12 water main leaks repaired, and four taps installed.

The next Water and Sewer Authority meeting is Oct. 26.