Bath water project over, for now

Contractor Cowgirl Up, Inc. finished up the water line replacement project the week of July 23. The 15 old water lines that had faulty valves have been cut and capped off.

A problem occurred when they capped the last pipe. Water was shut off to the Health Department, one local business and one residence, meaning that those customers had been missed and not placed on the new water system.

Water was restored from the old line and those customers were scheduled to be connected to the new system during the week.

Water still a problem

Chief Water Operator Terry Largent reported to council, at the Tuesday, July 24 morning Water Committee meeting, that although the old lines are shut off, he has not seen much increase in water capacity. Largent said it is too soon to tell whether water capacity will improve or not because he is still working to fix some leaks.

"In the six weeks I have been here, we have found and fixed 30 leaks," Largent said.

If water capacity doesn't increase in the town's three water towers, the moratorium on new water taps will continue.

"We have to get ready for what comes next," Recorder Garnet Marsh said commenting on the end of the current project and possible new water projects. "And there will be a next," she said.

Streetscape autonomy

Bath council held a special meeting following the Water Committee meeting to approve the last payments to Thrasher Engineering and Cowgirl Up for the water line replacement project.

A second agenda item was the first reading of Ordinance 2007-5, which gives the Streetscape Committee the authority to make decisions without approval of council.

Committee chair Marsh said the Streetscape project will last beyond the current council's term and more than likely last beyond the next several councils. The committee and main sponsor, Carl M. Freeman Companies, felt that to maintain continuity from council to council the committee needed to be able to act with autonomy.

The ordinance does specify that any expenses paid for with taxpayer's money will need approval by council.

A public hearing and second reading of the proposed ordinance will be held at the August 7 council meeting.