Basin council agrees to pass water study resolution

A variety of topics were addressed at the Basin Town Council meeting on Jan. 9. Council members in attendance were Linda Weeks, Chuck Hopkin, Mike Dellos and Brent Godfrey. Mayor CJ Duncan and town administrator Deaun Tiger rounded out the council.  

The council voted to move ahead with a resolution to fund a Reconnaissance Study by the Water Development Program. Hopkin stated it would help the town get money for the water system. 

The study will, in part, map out the town’s water taps. It will also show the amount of water that is being drawn by the Water District. 

“That flows through our pipes and goes to other portions of town,” Hopkin explained. He added there are several people in the town drawing water from the town system, but the town has no way to monitor use. This study will solve that issue with meters. Duncan replied there are meters in places, but “the problem comes that you can’t simultaneously read all meters at once.” Hopkin agreed because the town crew can’t read them, so the town doesn’t know what amount of water the district is taking.  He fears the town is losing money. 

Harrison added that if the town wants to continue to get money for grants, etc., they will need to provide agencies information about water loss, cyber security, etc.  He wouldn’t like to see rates going up each year. He agreed that this study should provide the information needed for grants. 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Department reports were given by the staff verbally at this meeting.  A written report was included in the council’s meeting package. 

First up was Town Foreman Tony Harrison. He said the crew has replaced a couple of leaking curb stops. The crew also cut and trimmed trees, and did snow removal. 

Later in the meeting, Harrison addressed the council regarding water service separation.  

“From what I understand and know, the North Eighth water project did a couple of years ago (…) determined Charlie Thomas has two houses on the same meter pit. We need to split that.” 

The homes are on North Eighth. 

He believes letters have been sent out noting the responsibility is that of the landowners. Harrison also explained there was a similar situation on the 500 block of South Sixth. The curb stop line goes to the one home, but splits off to the home directly north. 

The same at properties on Rue Ave and on Myrtle Ave. He believes there is also a location by the laundromat. If the water is turned off at the curb stop, it shuts down both properties on that stop. 

The issue is if one property’s water must be shut off for any reason, it will mean turning off water to both properties. 

Harrison said he had one question to the council, which was, is the town paying for the separation including the materials? Hopkin asked how long the shared lines have been like this and if the homes have separate meters in them. Harrison said he doesn’t know exactly how long, but some of the homes are pretty old. He did confirm they have separate meters. 

Harrison’s recommendation was that the town pay for the projects. Duncan asked for a comprehensive list. Weeks asked that the list include estimates. 

Next discussed was a curb valve leaking on B Street. Harrison explained, “The crew dug that one up and fixed it. That’s on the Lindgren property east of us here. There was an agreement with the council back in Oct. 2022 to allow Curtis to go ahead and tap into his one service line without having to do a whole new tap into the road and the main line. At that point when the curb stop was dug to replace because it was bad, there was two new curb stops, curb boxes and a compress T that were installed. Anything on the house side of the curb stop is the responsibility of the landowner.” 

As far as he knows no bill has been sent to Lindgren. There were $580 in parts and pieces. Harrison requested the council’s permission to bill for those. Duncan explained the town would cover the cost of the original curb valve. Harrison agreed since it was leaking and the town had to replace it. 

Lindgren wants to run a line to the garage so it can be rented out. 

Dellos asked what the agreement was in 2022. Duncan said he looked it up: “The minutes say, ‘Curtis Lindgren water line. Asked if it would be possible to T-off the existing curb stop and put another curb stop in to shut off separately instead of installing a new tap from the mainline. Councilman Olson made a motion to let them tap off the main curb stop as long as they put both utilities in their name and they split their own bills.’” The motion passed. Duncan noted it didn’t state who paid for what, only that it could be done. 

Harrison stated there are a total of three curb stops on the property now. 

“We have one that we can shut everything off, then there is one we can shut both ways off. Where he can shut the garage off or he can shut off straight to the house without shutting all the water off.” 

Duncan said it was important to note that the town dug the hole to replace their old curb stop, then installed the new curb stops. The town isn’t asking for the Lindgren to pay for the billable time for opening the hole. 

Godfrey made a motion to bill out for the two additional curb stops while the town takes care of its own curb stop. It was seconded by Weeks. 

When Duncan asked for any discussion, Dellos stated, “The agreement doesn’t say he would have to pay for that. The one curb stop is on us because it was leaking, so there is only a second curb stop is what you are saying?” 

Both Duncan and Harrison said no, but Duncan added that three curb stops were installed. 

Dellos stated he was on-site when the hole was dug and explained, “We have the original curb stop that was broken, then we put a new curb stop in there, correct? Then we T-offed and went to his building, so that’s two curb stops.” He then asked if the town replaced the old one. Harrison said no.  “It is still there, but we put two new ones in. Those are the only ones I’m asking to be billed for.” 

Town crew member Dean Eibert said the line was leaking past the original curb stop. 

“We separated the line out and teed in off of that,” Eibert said. “(We then) put a new curb stop for the original service and a second curb stop for the new service. And we abandoned the original curb stop that was there. It is still in place, but is no longer serviceable.” 

Hopkin asked for further clarification: “We’re asking for one curb stop and parts?” 

Godfrey replied, “Two brand new curb stops that were put in. The abandoned one does not play into the picture because that’s the town of Basin’s responsibility.” 

Hopkin said he understands, but if the stop is not serviceable, “one of the two curb stop that you added is the service to that house.” 

“No,” Harrison stated. “One to the house and one to the garage.” 

Town crew member Bill Everheart told the council, “We have the ability to shut off the house, the garage or both — there are three curb stops on the line.”

The council voted to send the bill. 

Electrician Ray Huggins presented the electrical department report. He noted that in the old substation many of the conductor ties were installed incorrectly and replaced with new ones. He believes all the open secondaries on Fourth Street have been retired. Security light repair and night light patrol have also been done. 

Deaun Tiger, town administrator, gave the administration report. Dog and cat licenses are due. She only has six dogs, thus far. 

Police Chief Kyle McClure’s department report noted there were 182 incidents, 95 calls for service and 87 officer-initiated incidents. One arrest. The report also included Administration and Patrol duties. 

COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS/
DEPARTMENTS 

Duncan gave the recreation district update. He discussed the alumni basketball game fundraiser, which raised around $1,000. 

Also discussed were the public restrooms in the rec center: two of the three toilets in the men’s room have failed. The manufacturer no longer makes parts for those models. There was discussion about cost savings should all the toilets in the women’s and men’s restroom be replaced at the same time and some discussion on splitting the cost of the full replacement between the district and the town. Councilman Godfrey stated that the building is used for more than just rec events (e.g. funerals). Councilman Dellos asked how much the Rec District has in their maintenance budget and was told just over $2,000, but they have about $145,000 from the mill levy to disperse and use for summer projects. The council voted replace all the toilets and share the cost.  

New rec board members were appointed at the rec board meeting the night before the council meeting. From the school, the new members are Matt Jensen and Heath Hopkin. 

Duncan reported that the activities committee isn’t working on anything currently. They will be working on a town clean-up day in the spring. 

Motorcross was listed on the agenda under the Recreation District update, but no discussion took place. 

OTHER BUSINESS

 • Town appointments were approved: Regional Joint Powers – Duncan; South Big JBP – Harrison, Godfrey;  Electric JPB and NMPP Electric – Bill Dahlke, Hopkin, Tigner; Rec District – Hopkin, Weeks, Tigner; Revenue Bond Board – Duncan, Weeks, Tigner; Mayor Pro Tempore – Godfrey; Activities Committee – Duncan, Weeks, Tigner, Tracy Harper, Barbara Anne Greene; Wastewater Master Planning Committee – Duncan, Hopkin, Harrison, Jesse Frisbee; Planning and Zoning – Dellos and Harper; Emergency Management – McClure and Harrison. 

 •  Harrison will supply the council a list of surplus items at the Feb. 13 meeting.