No resolutions were passed during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Nome Joint Utility Board. Instead, the NJUS board discussed revisions to its vehicle policy and the 2010 Water and Sewer Master Plan. The board is due to update the Master Plan, which focuses on priority water and sewer projects within its jurisdiction.
After NJUS board members raised concerns regarding NJUS personnel using city vehicles for personal use, a motion was passed to amend the revised vehicle policy, proposed by Utility Manager John Handeland. The motion specified that the personal use of city vehicles will result in loss of privilege.
In other business, Mike Erdman, a Senior Civil Engineer with CE2 Engineers, Inc., based in Anchorage, was also present at Tuesday night’s meeting. He participated in the discussion surrounding NJUS’s Master Plan. The board tabled the discussion until next month either before or on March 21st, the next scheduled date for the board to meet. Final updates to the Master Plan are expected by the 15th of May.
Regarding the severity of sewage backup due to a frozen pipe between Belmont Point and East Street, Utility Manager Handeland says “it’s certainly not as bad as it could be, and we’re glad it’s not even worse.”
Handeland states that Belmont Point area residents should not be affected, but any conservation efforts would be appreciated as NJUS employees address the frozen area. Handeland expects the frozen pipe to be back in working order by Thursday afternoon.
