By Jennifer Britt
Special guest speaker Randy Watson, representing The Thrasher Group, presented an update on projects to the Parsons City Council during the meeting. Watson provided the details of a written agreement between the city and the WVDOH on the property owned by them for the proposed location for the booster station on the south side of the Blackfork Bridge. The city will have to have a permit issued from the Health Department for completion of an alternate water supply. After some consideration Thrasher recommended putting in a pit housing two hydrants with pumps and generator instead of a building. The generator would be stored in the city garage until needed for use. This recommendation would eliminate a power bill and possible vandalism.
A written and signed agreement is also needed for the city and Hamrick PSD for water resale to one another for usage in the event of an emergency for either entity. Watson suggested utilizing the existing PSC approved lowest tariff rate for a 50,000-gallon usage customer. Watson met with John Red Lipscomb, Parsons PSD, Hamrick PSD and City Attorney Patrick Nichols to come to an agreement.
Chairman of the Water/Wastewater Committee Timothy Auvil, put in a motion to allocate $50,000 for a verbal commitment from the William H. Harman distribution. The allocation will be used to proceed with the preliminary engineering for the 25% of the city’s water lines that are in need of completion.
Along with the commitment, Auvil put in a motion to increase the current water rate to customers by ten percent. The last increase was ten years ago in 2012. The average household on a 5,000-gallon usage bill will see an increase of $2.68 monthly. The increase in rate will help meet PCS regulations of 115% of debt service coverage, which currently stands at 60% and to meet the 1/5% Median Household Income level to qualify for grants.
The last and regretful motion of the night was the acceptance of the resignation of Councilman Kenneth KC Morrison. Morrison served the council for over five years. Major Judy expressed her gratitude for all Morrison has done while serving on the council. In his letter of resignation Morrison mentioned a new work schedule making him unavailable to attend meetings as needed and signed the letter with “We are the “Small city with a big heart”.
The next City Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Charles W. “Bill” Rosenau Municipal Building. If you would like an item placed on the agenda call 304-478-2311.