Council seeking water plan consultants

In a special meeting Tuesday morning, the Cathlamet Town Council authorized a request for qualifications for a consultant to aid in the updating of the town's six--year water plan.

Council members hope to select the consultant at their December 16 meeting.

The town's current plan expires at the end of 2014. Town officials feel the next plan will address projects such as major work on the intake to the town's Elochoman River water plant and whether or not the town needs to develop a second water source.

Town officials have said they could avoid the expense of developing a second source if the town didn't supply the Puget Island Water System, operated by Wahkiakum PUD. Town officials have wanted to amend the contract with the PUD to include capital improvement costs, but those negotiations have stalled last week.

However, Mayor George Wehrfritz said Tuesday, those talks may resume.

"We have received communication from the PUD that we should continue talking," he said. There is some willingness to discuss including capital improvement costs and water loss, which has been another sticking point.

Wehrfritz added that to defuse the acrimony, he would withdraw from the negotiations.

"I'm willing to step back and let Council Member Dick Swart take the lead if (PUD) Commissioner Bob Jungers will take a step back," Wehrfritz said. "They haven't responded yet."

Swart and Council Member Bob Rendler, who comprise the council's utility committee, said they would meet before the next council meeting to go over the current water plan to suggest adjustments, depending on negotiations with the PUD.

The council has informed the PUD that if the Island system won't share in capital improvement and other costs which the town feels are part of the cost of producing water, then the town won't renew the water contract when it expires in 2037.