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Newport Utilities Board
Members of the Newport Utilities Board, meeting Tuesday, finalized plans to borrow up to $38 million to install a Smart Grid Fiber project. The funding will come from the USDA Rural Utilities Service Program. Finance Manager Sherry Frisbee said the federal agency has approved the financials of the planned fiber project for the next 10 years. Customer Service Manager Carmen Lichty said the Newport City Council is expected to approve the project on second reading later this week. A contract provides for work to begin on the project on August 21, with a full system test expected in October and the first customers are expected to be on-line in December. David McConnell reported the utility has an agreement with TVA to use some revenue to support small local projects to promote community and industrial development. Projects that involve political, activist or lobbying activities, are excluded. A committee will review funding requests. McSpadden Inc. was the low bidder on three utility construction projects; an area for the Smart Grid project, command center renovation and renovation of the lobby, at a total cost of $402,739. The utility also has identified weak spots in the electric delivery system. Manager Jimmy Robertson said upgrades have been prioritized and are to be completed over the next four years. Water Department Manager Clint Hammonds reported that corroded galvanized water lines are being replaced over a five-year period. And plans are to clean all sewer lines every five years. Safety Manager Chris Mullins reported that the utility has logged more than 300,000 hours without a lost time incident. McSpadden Inc. was the low bidder on three utility construction projects; an area for the Smart Grid project, command center renovation and renovation of the lobby, at a total cost of $402,739. The utility soon will include information in bill mailings regarding a new program to manage vegetation with herbicides. Vegetation Manager Terryl Denton told the board that a new program will have rights-of-ways cleared mechanically and then controlled in the future with herbicide treatment. He said most surrounding utilities already follow such a protocol and "we are years and decades behind many other utilities in implementing this program". He said after the first cutting, costs are reduced significantly. Denton said the spray is low-volume, targeted at woody-stemmed vegetation, and does not affect other vegetation. Brent Silk of PLM Lake and Land Management told the board his firm treats water and forests to remove invasive plants. Residents of areas to be treated will be notified a month in advance, and he stressed that the herbicide used is environment and pollinator friendly. Silk says he has endorsements from several local apiaries who have a number of bee hives. He says the herbicide products have undergone rigorous toxicological, environmental and chemical testing, and have been approved federally. Silk told the NewsSource he will be glad to talk with any property owner who has an issue with vegetation management. "Just like yourself, I'm a human being and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize your health or mine. These are the same chemicals I use around my family and I'll address your concern the best way I can with my many years of experience. If you don't want herbicide on your property, we will acknowledge that concern, address it, and nobody is going to force you to do anything you don't want to do." Denton said information on the herbicide [program, and the application schedule for this summer, is available at the Newport Utilities website, under the electric tab, and right-of-way.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
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Mill Creek Wildfire Update
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