RUSS mulls action in case of failure of Mt. Union system

By KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

With little to no money coming in from Mt. Union, the Regional Utility Service System (RUSS) board of directors wonders what to do in case of a breakdown.

Jefferson County Director Lee Dimmitt noticed during the meeting on Wednesday that funds for the operation and management for Mt. Union were in the negative.

?If we have a break down, what do we do?? he asked.

Finance/office manager, Krista Edmunds stated there would be a small deposit coming in from Mt. Union.

However, Executive Director Bruce Hudson noted that wouldn?t be enough in the case of a system breakdown.

?It?s going to come down to what we?re allowed to do within the law and the DNR (Department of Natural Resources).?

Hudson said it wouldn?t matter how catastrophic a breakdown would be, because any system breakdown would result in putting sewage into the environment.

?It comes down to how hard the DNR would be on us and there would be administrative fines that would be sanctioned,? he said. ?I would hope they (the DRN) would look and see that we?ve done everything possible within our power and hopefully they would give us some time to fix it if and when that time comes. But what we would do, I don?t know, I don?t have that answer.?

When asked if monies in the reserve fund could be used in case of emergency, Hudson said no.

?The reserve can only be used for debt service and it has to be approved by the USDA. It is not allowed to be used for operation and management,? said Hudson.

Hudson said he has had some people from Mt. Union come in and pay their bills.

?We?ve got some other people that have already paid and continue to pay call in and they are upset that it?s gotten to this point,? said Hudson.

Hudson said letters for customers who are 60 days past due have already been sent out and he will be starting the small claims proceedings in Mt. Union ?very soon.?

Since delinquent notices had been sent out, Edmunds said the board would see more deposits than normal this month.

?People wanted to get their accounts current or make payment arrangements for their accounts,? said Edmunds.

In other business, the board:

? Approved a new residential and commercial connection fee of $0. Instead, customers will pay for the costs of the materials and construction

? Approved pay application for Argyle rehab waste water project

? Accepted the statement of substantial completion on the Argyle wastewater project

? Approved pay applications for Division #1 and #2 for Ollie wastewater project

? Approved change orders for Ollie Division #1 and Division #2