PUD board handles variety of issues

Wahkiakum PUD commissioners discussed a proposal to include a private group’s survey in PUD bills and heard updates on current projects at their meeting August 17.

Town resident John Dees attended the meeting as a representative of a group of private citizens who have been meeting to work on Main Street revitalization.

The group has sent out a survey to all Town of Cathlamet water customers, Dees said, but acknowledges that survey method missed significant segments of the county population. They would like to include their survey with PUD bills to reach more residents.

Dees provided a letter of support from the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council. They have received 50 survey responses to date, Dees said.

In the past the PUD commissioners decided by consensus that they would not allow outside groups to insert materials into PUD mailings. Manager Dave Tramblie explained the rationale behind the decision was that time sensitive material from outside groups had created challenges.

Dees asked for a one time exemption to the policy, saying he saw the prosperity of Main Street as a county-wide issue of significance to PUD customers.

Commissioner Bob Jungers noted that he would view the proposal differently if it were from the town council or another formally organized group, and asked if the group had requested the LCEDC or Chamber of Commerce to assist with the cost of mailing the survey.

Jungers said the board would include the issue as an agenda item to discuss at the next PUD meeting.

Water department employee Bruce McClain reported on a sampling workshop he attended recently.

Both the Puget Island and Western Wahkiakum water systems are sampled once a month for bacteria, he said. Tramblie commented that during his time with the Wahkiakum PUD, there has never been an issue with unsatisfactory levels of bacteria in the water systems.

Pole testing is occurring on all utility poles in the system. Contractors began the project last week, and so far testing has shown a very small deterioration margin, said Tramblie.

Tramblie announced testing indicates a need to replace some parts on the spare Grays River transformer. Currently the low voltage bushings may fail if the unit is energized, he said. The commissioners authorized the purchase and installation of replacement parts on the transformer so it would be ready as needed.