PUD authorizes transformer purchase, water projectloan

Commissioners of Wahkiakum PUD authorized a transformer purchase and water system construction loan and handled a variety of other business at their meeting Tuesday of this week.

Manager Dave Tramblie told the PUD board of commissioners that the two surplus PUD vehicles will be auctioned at Ritchie Bros. Auctions in Chehalis on June 16 and 17.

The interviews for the part-time utilityperson position have been completed, and Tramblie said he expects a selection by the end of the week.

Auditor Erin Wilson thanked Commissioner Esther Gregg for her call to Congressman Brian Baird to get the wetlands permits expedited for the SR 409 project. Mike Johnson, engineer for Gray and Osborne has been trying to obtain the permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers but had been unsuccessful.

Shannon Greene, account executive for Bonneville Power Administration, will deliver a “conservation dollhouse” to the PUD office next week. The house is a replica of an energy efficient home and shows the different ways homeowners can conserve energy. The dollhouse will be on display in the PUD lobby.

Tramblie said the cost of the Grays River backup transformer should not exceed $110,000. That amount will include the cost of the transformer, the freight to get it to the area, and unloading and set up, but not connection.

The board authorized Tramblie to purchase the transformer. Commissioner Larry Reese, who is out of the country, submitted his approval via email to PUD Attorney Tim Hanigan. “I strongly support the manager’s decision to purchase a spare transformer for the Grays River substation,” Reese wrote in the letter.

Tramblie asked the board to authorize a loan in the amount of $100,000 for the SR 409 project. The funds would be drawn on what is needed, Tramblie said, “so, it would be used more like a line of credit.”

Tramblie added that he would need to purchase nearly $20,000 of equipment such as valves to get the project started. The board authorized Tramblie to obtain the loan. .