Wahkiakum PUD busy with budgets, projects

Auditor Erin Wilson outlined the proposed 2015 budgets for the electric system and the Puget Island and Western Wahkiakum Water Systems during a budget hearing, and General Manager Dave Tramblie apprised commissioners of completed projects and coming plans at Tuesday’s Wahkiakum County PUD board meeting.

A resolution to approve the 2015 budget was tabled after clarification and discussion of some line items, but Commissioner Bob Jungers declared the undertaking “ fairly bloodless.”

The commissioners entertained the idea of combining the budgets for the water systems or combining the budget for all three systems. After some discussion of the pros and cons, they made no plans to move forward with the proposal but will continue to give it more thought.

On November 18, Tramblie and the crew will work during the day to replace a valve on Puget Island. In order to complete the project, they will have to put in a temporary water main across west Little Island where the Julia Butler Hansen bridge meets 409.

“I have asked the county for permission to close that access,” Tramblie said. “I will be going to their meeting on November 4 to make that request and they should have a resolution prepared. I am anticipating approval.”

No roads will be closed but it may inconvenience a few residents, according to Tramblie, who believes that the project should take about 12 hours.

“We hope to keep adequate flow and volume in there,” he said, “but any help in reducing consumption would be helpful during that time.”

The PUD had been losing nearly 1.9 cubic feet of water per minute in Eden Valley on the westend but after isolating and finding the leak, they replaced 1200 feet of water main and resolved the problem.

The crew also replaced electric overhead with underground, which will give the system 35 more years of life, according to Tramblie.

A possible tragedy was averted recently when a hunter who, while doing a resident a favor by trimming branches, found himself trapped in a tree after coming into contact with power lines. The PUD responded along with several other agencies to save the man.

“I think you and your staff need to be congratulated for the work that you did for the individual that got hung up in the power lines,” Commissioner Dennis Reid said. “Your quick action probably saved one or two lives down there. For being after hours, you did it amazingly fast. Well done.”

A PUD booth will be set up at the annual Living Well in Wahkiakum County event at Johnson Park on November 5th, according to Wilson. Customer Service Rep Lia Sealund will be there to answer questions and hand out info on the conservation program, the REAP program and how to read your own meter.

The PUD approved a resolution to enter into an interlocal agreement with the school district for a one time outdoor light pole replacement at the football field.

The commissioners then closed the meeting for an executive session to discuss potential litigation.