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Utility Board Seeks Repairs for Wind Turbine Blades
By Gina Anderson
Jun. 19, 2025 12:00 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The New London utility trustees met in regular session on June 12, 2025 with all trustees present. They approved the agenda and there was no open forum.
Chairman Dan Heater reported on the wind turbine’s production. It is ahead of 2023 and 2024 at this point in the year. It is hoped that production could reach 6 million kWh by year’s end.
Heater gave the trustees an overview of the Louisa County solar project. He pointed out the benefits of a project of this size and the effects it could have on the environment.
He also commented on the new utility signs at the ball diamonds. They look great with the image of the water tower and wind turbine on them.
Matt Walker of French Reneker Associates updated the trustees on the GIS mapping of the water mains, valves, and service lines/shut offs. They continue to do line work to ensure the mains are correctly connected. The budget for this project is approximately one-third used. Walker told the trustees that if there is anything else the utility wants added, French Reneker will complete this at the agreed-upon price.
City Clerk Kasi Howard updated the trustees on the new Edmunds software. The office will have it by July 1, 2026. They will continue with the current software until that date.
Howard also reported on the debt service payment to UMB Bank for the bonds on the wind turbine. Due June 1, they were paid on May 1 in the amount of $310,075.
The utility foreman has received the quote from Jetco for new controls at the water treatment plant. He reported on projects and completed work. The new 55’ Terex bucket truck is here and is parked outside for anyone who’d like to take a look.
The trustees took the following actions:
- Approved the consent agenda.
- Approved resolution #160, effective July 1, 2025 giving employees a 5% wage increase.
- Discussed the timing of the 3-year plan which involves metering infrastructure (AMI) timing with the new office software. No action was taken until they get the sales representative’s opinion.
In new business, they took the following actions:
- Approved reinvesting electric funds in CDs, one for $43,000 and two for $119,900 each, all at the Danville State Savings Bank for 182 days at 4.5%.
- Approved the Jetco quote for the water plant controls update that includes item A (new softener flow meter) and item B (main control panel and radio telemetry upgrades) for a total cost of $33,470.
- Approved Wellmark BC/BS renewal of employee group health insurance benefit plan with an increase of 1.07% in the premiums with a single policy costing $602.55 and a family policy for $1,506.33.
The final business of the evening was a discussion of the wind turbine blade inspection that was done at no cost to the city, because the county’s drone was used. The inspection showed definite damage from lightning and possibly debris from last year’s tornado. Utility foreman Heater will meet with a Vensys representative on June 13 seeking suggestions for a company to repair the fiberglass blades.
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. The utility trustees will have a joint meeting with the City Council on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the city office.
The next regular utility board meeting will be Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 1 p.m. in the city office
