May 4 2012

H2GO Awards Wastewater Plant Construction Contract to Michigan Firm

Executive Director Bob Walker of Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer, H2GO, recommended awarding the wastewater treatment plant project to DeVere Construction of Alpena, Michigan. The recommendation was made April 24 at the BRWS Board of Commissioners meeting.
The award to DeVere was based on the evaluation of the base bid, a review of financial statements, and references supplied. Evaluation was made in conjunction with mandatory and voluntary bid alternatives for preferred equipment packages that staff would prefer to have as a part of the project. Bid and alternative review was performed by Vaughn and Melton, Consulting Engineers headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina.
The lowest base bid of $3,995,000 was submitted by Encore Construction. Second low bidder was DeVere construction with a base bid of $4,088,000. However, considering alternative bid packages, Encore construction’s combined bid total came in at $4,126,000, while DeVere construction’s bid was $4,106,000.
The Board of Commissioners agreed to award the contract to DeVere Construction pending review and acceptance by the board’s legal counsel, Stephen Coble.

by Mike Leggett  mike@theLNR.com

comments? mail@theLNR.com

 

H2GO Board Recognizes Contributions of Clerk and Deputy Clerk

The week of April 29 through May 5, municipalities across the nation will recognize a very unique and valuable assets: municipal clerks. The office of the clerk provides a professional link between citizens, the local government bodies, and agencies of government at other levels.
During the April 24 meeting of Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer, H2GO, the Board of Commissioners proclaimed into the record their appreciation to the board’s clerk, Teresa Long, and deputy clerk, Deana Greiner. The proclamation noted the vital services the two perform, and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent.
The proclamation was signed by John Crowder, Chairman of the Board, Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer, H2GO.

March 21 2012

“Notice”

The Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer Board of Commissioners Will Hold a Special Meeting to Discuss Contract Negotiations with Brunswick County. The Wooden Company Will Give a Presentation of the Water Supply and Treatment Feasibility Study at the District Conference Room on March 22, 2012 at 3 PM.

March 16 2012

Carol Lynn Subdivision Property Owners Briefed on Sewer System Plan

Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer, H2GO, has been working with the residents of Carol Lynn Estates to develop a new sewer system to alleviate ongoing septic problems in the subdivision. H2GO updated residents on progress of the new system at a March 8 informational meeting in Leland.
Allen Lewis with East Coast Engineering was on hand to explain the results of testing the existing septic systems. Test results indicated it would be better to install new septic tanks in the front of each house. This would make it much easier for H2GO to pump out the tanks, according to Lewis.
The cost to each homeowner will be levied by a special assessment tax over a 10 year, 20 year or 30 year time frame. The existing septic systems will be crushed in place and the yards repaired to their pre-existing conditions. Work is expected to begin shortly. However, the lines from the new tanks and the distribution system must be tested and approved before any homes are connected.

Feb 17 2012

H2GO Board to
Review Bids for New Treatment Plant March 15

By Mike Leggett  mike@theLNR.com

Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer, H2GO, has been seeking to replace its wastewater treatment plant built in the 1980s. The current plant, located on Chapel Loop Road, was designed to process 400,000 gallons of wastewater per day. Currently, the plant is processing 200,000 gallons a day and pumping the other 200,000 gallons a day to the North West treatment plant, according to terms of a partnership that includes the Town of Leland, the Town of Navassa, the City of North West, and Brunswick County.
When construction of the new H2GO plant is complete, it will be able to process 400,000 gallons per day.  The facility is to be built on the existing site in front of the current plant, which will be demolished when the new plant comes online. Preliminary work at the site, and relocation of the lines coming into he plant, has already been accomplished.
H2GO has been authorized by the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources to proceed with construction of the new plant. A pre-bid conference was held on February 16, 2012 for prospective bidders. Bids will be received and opened on March 15. The contract for construction is expected to be awarded sometime in May or June, with a construction time of approximately 10 months. Estimated cost of the state-of-the-art treatment facility is in the neighborhood of $4 million.

Customer Service Improvements Slated for H2GO

Customer service improvements are coming to Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer, H2GO. During the February 7 regular meeting, commissioners approved replacing the drive-up window with an automated kiosk. The new automated payment system will incorporate real-time accounting while accepting credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. However, if cash is over the amount of the customer’s statement, any over payment will be credited to that customer’s account. There will also be a drop box for those wishing to pay by check or money order without using the new kiosk.

The automated kiosk system will be purchased from Adcomp Systems Incorporated, Louisville, Texas, at a cost of $23,842 and should be installed and ready for use by May 1.

By Mike Leggett  mike@theLNR.com

 

 

Feb 3 2012

Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer Implements New Time
Management Policy

Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer commissioners, at the January 24 meeting, voted to purchase a Nova Time Systems time clock and implement a new time management policy for all hourly employees. Director Bob Walker presented two options to the commissioners, one an outright purchase of the system at a cost of $3,529 with a one-time setup fee of $695. The second option was a lease plan which would cost $177 per month, plus a $39 hosting fee and the $695 one-time setup fee.
With either option, office employees would be able to login through their desktop or laptop computers while field employees would have a card swipe terminal located in the warehouse. Commissioners, by a vote of 4-1, approved  the outright purchase, with board Chairman John Crowder casting the dissenting vote.
Commissioners voted to cut that back to two paid days during Christmas. Currently, employees receive three paid days for the Christmas holiday. The motion passed unanimously.

by Mike Leggett  mike@theLNR.com

comments?  mail@theLNR.com

Jan 20 2012

H2GO Board Approves Work in Area of Proposed I-140 Bypass

The Brunswick Regional Water/Sewer H2GO sanitary district board at its January 7 meeting approved an expenditure of $46,000. The funds will be paid to Barnhill Construction for installation of 401 linear feet of a 24” steel encasement under the proposed I-140 bypass at Goodman Road.
The I-140 bypass, when complete, will cause Goodman road to dead end. H2GO Director Bob Walker explained that if the district expands its water services to the west side of the new bypass, the cost of boring under the new highway would cost approximately $400 per linear foot, or about $160,000. So installing the encasement at this stage of the project will save over $100,000 he explained.
Walker also reported that the Belville Sewage treatment plant is planned to be bid around the first of February, he plans to have at least two pre-bid conferences. He also explained that the Carol Lynn project is progressing with East Coast Engineering performing inspections of the properties to determine the adequacy of the existing septic tanks, and mapping the locations of the plumbing for each home. Walker advised that the project is on schedule.
In other action, commissioners approved purchase of one 2012 GMC utility work truck and made some budget amendments recommended by finance officer Scott Hook.
Additionally, commissioners will hold a workshop on Friday, January 20 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss upcoming budgetary and planning issues for this year and next year.

Special Meeting –Workshop Agenda Jan 20, 2012

BRUNSWICK REGIONAL WATER AND SEWER H2GO

WORKSHOP

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012 @ 4:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CAROL LYNN ASSESSMENTS (ADAM  LISK-CAROL LYNN DRIVE TRACTS)

CAMERAS

TIME CLOCK

HOLIDAYS

DEPOSIT POLICY

GOALS SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM

MANHOUR ALLOCATIONS

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS

WORKFORCE ANALYSIS AND COMPARISONS

PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

SEWER RULES & REGULATIONS

2012-2013 BUDGET (Preliminary Discussions)

EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL ISSUES

ADJOURNMENT

******Notice******

Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO has declared as surplus the following list of property.  Please submit your bid to:  Clerk, Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer, P. O. Box 2230, Leland, NC  28451 or hand deliver to 516 Village Road, items can be bid on individually.  Bids will be opened on or after 15 days after publication (Jan 27) and items will be sold to the highest bidder.

Several 5” and 3” 3-Ringed Binders

V-Tech 2.4 ghz Cordless Telephone

Adler-Royal Calculator Model 1121PD

(3) Boxes of 9 ½ X 11 Dot Matrix Paper

(1) PC Controlled CD Organizer (holds 127 CDs)

(2) Boxes Sony Mini Data Cartridges for Travan Tape Drive

(1) Manhattan Data Switch

(50) Name Badge clips w/zip cord

(1) HP Scan jet 5550c Scanner

(1) HP Laser jet 4100 Printer

(1) HP Laser jet 4050n Printer

(1) Kombo Binding Machine for making Booklets

(1) Sanyo 4Head VCR

(11) 4 Drawer File Cabinets

(1) Well-used Computer Desk

(1) C-Van

 

H2GO Approves
Voluntary Annexation/ Elected New Officers

 

Sewer H2GO Sanitary District met Tues December 13 2011. This was the regular scheduled monthly meeting. Action items included the acceptance of the voluntary annexation of properties owned by Adam Lisk totaling 10.297 acres fronting Highway 17 adjacent to the Carolyn Subdivision just south of the Sunny Point Rail Road overpass and bordering the Sunny Point Rail Road Right-of Way to the South. Voluntary annexation requires at least 51% of the property owners petition to join the district.  Mr. Lisk is the property owner of all the tracts in question.   In other business the District accepted the lowest bid from East Coast Engineering for the design of the sewer system at the Carolynn Subdivision. The residents have approved an assessment in order to pay for the system. The subdivision was voluntarily annexed into the District in 2010.   There were four companies bidding on the project but East Coast out of Shallotte was the lowest bid which came in at $19,750.
The District also approved a proposal from Vaughn and Melton Consulting Engineering for additional design work for the Belville sewage treatment plant. (The project is  due to be bid out to contractors sometime in January.) The total proposal from Vaughn and Melton Consulting Engineering is not to exceed $245,410.

In other action Board members Poe Butler and John Crowder were sworn in for another four year terms. This will be Butler’s third term and Crowder’s second. They were unopposed in the general local election in November. John Crowder was unanimously approved to be Chairman replacing Carl Antos. Jeff Gaskill was voted in as Vice-Chairman and Bobby Johnston Secretary. The next scheduled meeting will is schedule for January 10 2012.

 

****NOTICE****

THE BRUNSWICK REGIONAL WATER AND SEWER H2GO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15^TH, 2011 AT 6:00PM HERE AT H2GO DURING OUR REGULAR MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF HEARING ALL INTERESTED PERSONS WHO APPEAR WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER COVERED BY THE PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION FOR CAROL-LYNN ESTATES.

October 19 2011

H2GO Accepts Petition for Sewer Project from Carol Lynn Estates Property Owners

Kevin Dillon, resident and spokesperson for the residents of Carol Lynn subdivision, presented a petition to the North Brunswick Water & Sewer (H2GO) Sanitary District during the October 11 meeting. The petition contained names of residents of the subdivision requesting that the district assess each property owner the cost of installing a sewer system.
Property owners whose names are on the petition represent approximately 69% of the assessed value of the total subdivision’s real value. State statute requires that owners representing 66% of the real property value must agree to the financing. With this action, the District can proceed with the process of securing sewer system financing.
The district had already spent over $27,000 on preliminary engineering for the project. Of that amount, only the $4,300k spent on the survey will be used representing the survey cost. As requested by the residents, pump systems for individual homes were not to be planned. As a result, H2GO Executive Director Bob Walker proposed an innovative system that does not require pumps. According to Walker, it may take 9 to12 months before construction can begin on the project.
Some residents’ septic tanks have been failing for years, while others have spent thousands of dollars having their septic systems repaired. Commissioner John Crowder stated in previous meetings that on-site septic tank systems are a temporary means of sewer treatment and disposal, and in no way are they permanent solutions to sewage disposal. Crowder said that, according to the Health Department, about 30% of the residents’ septic tanks are failing. Providing sewer to this subdivision will also allow the District to take over the water system, as agreed to by the county in earlier discussions.
In other business, commissioners discussed financing options as presented by the county for the “partners” (Leland, Navassa, Northwest, Brunswick County, and H2GO) to pay for transmission up-grades and the Northeast sewer plant expansion on Royster Road, just north of Navassa. Total cost of the project will be approximately $13 million, with each partnering entity to pay its share of the cost based on sewer use. No final decision was made by the Board, but the commissioners were leaning toward a 10-year bank financing method.
Scott Hooks, finance supervisor, also reported that a call system had been implemented, which makes an automated phone call to those customers at risk of having their water cut off for non-payment. If you are a customer and are behind in your payments, an automated call goes to your listed phone number warning of the past due amount. “Since the system has been in place, we have reduced the number of cut-offs by at least half,” Hooks told the commissioners. According to Scott Lewis, of the district, there was no additional cost for the call system because the District already had a program in place to alert customers of water breaks and boil water notices.
A preliminary bid for the first phase of the Belville Sewer project was accepted by staff. Total amount of the bid is $71,000, and, based on preliminary estimates, is $13,000 under engineering estimates. This phase includes clearing the site and the re-location of the water and sewer lines to the plant site. The contract proposal is scheduled to be reviewed by the commissioners at the October 26 meeting.

September 23, 2011

Approximately 45 residents of the Carol Lynn subdivision, just off of U.S. 17 at the Sunny Point railroad overpass, voiced their concerns and questions during a special meeting of  the special meeting of Brunswick Regional, Water and Sewer, H2GO. Most questions centered on costs of providing sewerage for the development.
According to Bob Walker, executive director of the sanitary district, Carol Lynn residents would pay a special assessment fee ranging from $11.09 to $33.28, depending on which financing option they choose — spreading the assessment fee over ten to thirty years. Residents and property owners would also pay a five dollar maintenance fee each month. The fee would cover cost of replacing the septic tank, maintaining the lines, and pumping the septic tanks every five years. Once the system is installed, the district will maintain all aspects of the sewer system, Walker said. “The property owners would not be responsible for any maintenance associated with the system,” he added.
Walker explained that the district needs to have a decision from the residents by the end of September. To initiate the project, H2GO must have signatures of the property owners equaling 66 percent of the assessed property value in the subdivision.
Once the signatures are obtained, the process could begin – as early as spring of 2012. The project could be completed sometime in the fall of that year. As of Monday, the district has obtained approximately 40% of the required signatures.

September 22, 2011

Brunswick Regional Water Sewer H2GO Soliciting Bids for the First Phase of the Belville Treatment Plant Construction

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed proposals will be received by Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2GO, in the H2GO Conference Room at 516 Village Road, Leland, NC  28451

up to 3:00 p.m. on October 11, 2011, and immediately thereafter publicly opened and read for the furnishing of labor, material and equipment entering into the construction of clearing and grubbing and force main line relocation at the existing waste water treatment plant on Chappel Loop Road.  Complete plans, specifications and contract documents will be open for inspection in the office of Mr. Bob Walker, Executive Director, in the offices of Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers, 1318-F Patton Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina 28806, in the offices of the Associated General Contractors, Carolinas Branch, Raleigh, NC, or may be obtained by those qualified and who will make a bid, upon deposit of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) in cash or certified check.  The full plan deposit will be returned to contractors submitting bids provided all documents are returned in good condition within ten (10) days after the bid date.  The full plan deposit will be returned to contractors not submitting bids provided all documents are returned in good condition at least ten (10) days prior to the bid date.  Plans will be available on Monday, September 26, 2011.  A non-mandatory pre bid conference will be held at the sewer district office at 516 Village Road on Thursday, September 29 at 3:00 p.m.

 

A single prime bid for all work will be received for the project.  All proposals shall be lump sum.

 

All contractors are hereby notified that they must have proper license under the state laws governing their respective trades.

 

General contractors are notified that Chapter 87, Article 1, General Statutes of North Carolina, will be observed in receiving and awarding general contracts.

 

Each proposal shall be accompanied by a cash deposit or a certified check drawn on some bank or trust company, insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, of an amount equal to not less than five percent (5%) of the proposal, or in lieu thereof a bidder may offer a bid bond of five percent (5%) of the bid executed by a surety company licensed under the laws of North Carolina to execute the contract in accordance with the bid bond.  Said deposit shall be retained by the owner as liquidated damages in event of failure of the successful bidder to execute the contract within ten days after the award or to give satisfactory surety as required by law.

 

A performance bond and a payment bond will be required for one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price.

 

Payment will be made on the basis of ninety-five percent (95%) of monthly estimates and final payment made upon completion and acceptance of work.

 

No bid may withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for the receipt of bids for a period of 90 days.

 

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Page 2

 

The owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities.

 

Signed:

 

Mr. Bob Walker, Executive Director

Name and Title

 

Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2GO

 

Institution or Department

 

 

Designer:        Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers

1318-F Patton Avenue

Asheville, North Carolina  28806

The Next Meeting of Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer, H2GO

Will Be Held On July 26, 2011 At 6PM

Bob Walker Named Director Of BRWS H2GO

After months of searching, accepting resumes and interviews, Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer has a new director. His name is Mr. Bob Walker, and he and his family will be relocating to the area from Indianapolis, IN.

 

Walker brings to the table over 25 years of experience in planning, engineering, construction and operational assessment of infrastructure, utility, water, wastewater and storm water facilitates and a time H2GO is amidst a variety of projects. The main project is the 400,000 gallon per day wastewater treatment facility to replace the aging Belville plant.

Other projects in the works are providing sewer service to the Carol-Lynn subdivision, installing a new waterline to the elevated storage tank, switching out the “old style” analog meters to the newer and more accurate digital water meters, and strategic planning to expand water and sewer service to the areas in the region that need them.

Walker commented on the staff, stating”the staff here is very well trained and performs their jobs with the utmost proficiency and skill. This place (H2GO) is running as good as any other business I’ve been associated with”. Bob says he looking forward to the task at hand and working on building better relationships with the other municipalities and the community.

*NOTICE*

THE BRUNSWICK REGIONAL WATER AND SEWER H2GO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011AT 6:00PM HERE AT H2GO TO DISCUSS THE NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CONTRACT

The NEXT scheduled meeting will be June 14,2011 @ 6pm in the Council Chambers located at 516 Village Road, Leland, NC

————————————————————————–

H2GO Sets Public Budget Hearing for May 24

Budgeting deadline comes amidst campaign to find a new executive director

The budget season is here for local governmental agencies, and Brunswick Regional Water Sewer H2GO (formerly North Brunswick Sanitary District) is no exception. Like other local government agencies with elected commissioners, the sanitary district has to provide an annual budget and hold a public hearing.

The budget hearing has been set for May 24 at 6:00 pm. BRWS is also actively recruiting for a new director. Former director Bob Jones resigned in March. At April 12 H2GO meeting, the commissioners decided to accept applications until the end of April. Additionally, a special meeting will be held May 3 to review all applications received and determine which ones will be further considered for the position. “We need to move forward with this process, and this should be the latest that these applicants should be reviewed,” noted Commissioner Poe Butler.

In other business, commissioners voted not to provide any further funding for Brunswick County’s transmission study. According to Wooten Engineering, District engineers identified technical problems that need to be addressed by the Northern Brunswick County “partners” in their sewer collection systems.  It was the decision of the Board not to spend additional District funds to supplement additional study due to the incompleteness of the county’s transmission report. Wooten Engineering recommended that no additional funding be made until a complete and more detailed report is provided by the County’s engineering consultant. The firm also recommends that a meeting between the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources water quality section and the county is needed to discuss the original transmission study and the flaws that exist in it. The study is a key element in the assessing the overall sewer needs of Northern Brunswick County.

Additionally, the commissioners discussed a proposed policy for the maintenance of any existing or new grinder pumps for customers who need mechanical devices to connect to the District’s sewer system. The proposal is to begin charging a $5 per month fee for the maintenance cost of those pumps. Brunswick County charges an additional fee to their grinder pump customers. The fee pays for any maintenance to the pumps. More than 125 existing customers have these types of systems, according to Scott Lewis of the District staff.  Acting director Russ Lane also noted there is nothing in writing that guarantees the free maintenance of their pumps. Commissioner John Crowder added that this maintenance agreement fee would be charged only to the users or owners of those pumps and will not be charged to other customers of the District. Cost for replacing an individual pump is approximately $2,000, which includes cost of the control panel, but not the chamber. Commissioner Jeff Gaskill said he doesn’t think it’s fair to start charging a fee to those who have been told their pumps would be maintained by the District at no charge to them. The commissioners approved discussing the issue at a public hearing to be help during the budget hearing on May 24.

Larry Whitley, the District’s wastewater treatment plant supervisor, told the Board that he suspects illegal dumping into the sewer system has been occurring, possibly from a pump truck into a manhole. This is causing an issue with the proper maintenance of the sewer plant at Belville. He suggested that a reward be set for anyone who sees anyone illegally dumping into the system. A $10,000 reward was set and notification will go out as soon as……

To read more about this story and others pick up a free copy of the LNR at any one of 25 rack locations around the area—Yes we’re still free!!

Got a comment –email us at mail@thelnr.com

——————————————————————————-