PUD board works on rates, other business

Wahkiakum PUD Commissioners Esther Gregg, Robert Jungers and Larry Reese worked on 2008 budgets and discussed recent meetings and resolutions at meetings Tuesday.

PUD Manager David Tramblie told the board that the electric crew had completed the underground conductor replacement on Barr Road, and it was successful. He also reported that thanks to a customer alert, the water leak in the Westend at Loop Road had been repaired.

Gregg returned from meetings in Olympia to report that their new state PUD association building is beautiful. Even on a cloudy day, she said, the building only used 11.2 kilowatts of energy. While some of the areas of the building are still being finished, she reported, the energy and money saved will be beneficial to the City of Olympia.

Reese questioned PUD Attorney Tim Hanigan about the refinance loan from the last meeting. Hanigan told Reese that he had concluded that it was not appropriate to refinance at this time.

Approval was given for Resolution 1099, an authorization for ENW (Energy Northwest) to borrow money for the Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project after damage to a pipe in a landslide last winter.

A reminder was given that the Western Wahkiakum Water System (WWWS) Expansion Project ribbon cutting will be on November 20 at 2 p.m. in the PUD meeting room.

In a budget workshop, the commission discussed power pole testing to check the strength of the wood. With the inclement weather season approaching, it was decided that the oldest poles be tested first.

The commission voted for small rate hikes on the WWWS, and the PIWS (Puget Island Water System).

Two rate hearings have been set for Wahkiakum residents to attend. The first of which will be held on November 28 at 7 p.m. in the PUD meeting room and the second on December 3 at 7 p.m. at a location yet to be set.