The Buchanan County Public Service Authority received updates on several water and sewer projects, approved contract reductions and adopted the county’s employee health insurance plan during its Sept. 8 meeting.
PSA Executive Director Tim Hess updated the board on existing and proposed water projects, including the authority’s recent testing of Starlink satellite internet equipment.
The PSA received three Starlink units intended to improve communication for employees working in areas where cellular service is limited or unavailable. The equipment was tested in Hurley and Dickenson County.
Hess said the units performed well when crews could find areas with clear views of the sky. Buchanan County’s mountains and heavy tree cover could affect the service in some locations, but the equipment could provide another communication option for employees working in remote areas.
The board also received an update on the Dry Fork project, which has been completed. Record drawings are being prepared for Virginia Energy, and officials expect to conduct one final walkthrough.
Board members approved a change order reducing the Dry Fork contract by $55,962.75.
Because the project used American Rescue Plan Act funding, officials plan to ask the Virginia Department of Health to redirect the remaining money to reimburse engineering expenses. That would return the funding to the PSA.
The authority also approved a change order that reduces the Levisa project contract by about $5,700. Hill Construction is the project contractor.
Officials praised Hill Construction’s progress and said the company had completed most of the work included in its original contract. The change order will allow the contractor to continue camera inspections and repair additional problems discovered during the project.
Another project has a scheduled substantial completion date of Oct. 27, although officials said delays involving meters and other materials have affected the timeline. Officials expect to provide a clearer update during the board’s next meeting.
The PSA has requested $2 million for the Conaway wastewater project. The request advanced to the next round of funding consideration, although the authority had not been notified how much money it could receive.
The project has a tentative substantial completion date in March, but officials said it was too early to determine when the system would become operational.
The Lee Master Meter project also continues to move forward. Officials said a 90% completion meeting was expected soon, and the project could be ready for bidding toward the end of the year.
The authority was not selected for a funding application for a backup generator this year. However, the authority was encouraged to submit another application during the next funding cycle.
PSA employee Philip Vandyke also updated the board on sewer issues. Crews have completed work at several locations in Garden Creek and have shifted their attention to Looney’s Creek.
Vandyke said crews discovered two significant problem areas in Looney’s Creek. One had been repaired, and work on the second was expected to begin during the week.
The board also discussed the sprinkler and fire alarm systems at the PSA’s new office building. Officials initially believed one contract would cover the work but later learned the systems required separate contracts, even though divisions of the same company are handling the work.
The fire alarm contract totals $57,500. The sprinkler contract is complete and signed, and the contractor has begun the design and material-ordering process.
In other business, the board approved the county’s employee health insurance resolution. The plan includes a 10% increase and minor changes to dental coverage. The insurance carrier will remain the same, and the new plan year will begin in October.
Board member Terry Colley made the motion to approve the insurance resolution, and David Rowe seconded it. The motion passed.
In other business, Colley moved to advertise for a meter reader position, and Rowe seconded. The measure received unanimous approval.
The action allows the authority to begin seeking applicants for the position, which collects information used to prepare customers’ monthly water bills.
Meter readers often travel throughout the county to record water usage and identify potential problems, including damaged meters, unusual consumption and possible leaks. The work can be challenging in Buchanan County because of its mountainous terrain and the distance between customers.
The authority did not discuss an application deadline, salary or hiring timeline during the recorded portion of the meeting.
In other business, the board approved minutes from its August meeting and authorized payment of the authority’s bills. Rowe moved to approve the bills, and board member Jeff Cooper seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The authority also changed the date of its October meeting because a board member would be unavailable on the originally scheduled date.
The meeting had been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20. Board members agreed to move it one week earlier to Tuesday, Oct. 13.
