ALLENTOWN – Municipal officials have selected the type of water meter they want to install in 700 homes and have authorized the borough engineer to advertise for bids for the purchase and installation of the new equipment.
During a meeting on June 12, Allentown Borough Council President Thomas Fritts, Councilman Rob Schmitt, Councilwoman Johnna Stinemire, Councilman Robert Strovinsky and Councilman John A. Elder III passed a resolution authorizing the Roberts Engineering Group to pursue the acquisition and installation of the Neptune T-10-ECoder Wireless Meters, R900 System, and data collection hardware and software.
Officials said the preferred Neptune T-10-ECoder water meters are not dependent on the internet, which results in substantial savings in monthly usage; use an all bronze body, are lead free, and do not use plastic, thereby reducing costs for current and future installation, as well as providing recyclable materials at the end of their useful life; and are capable of operating simultaneously in walk-by using a hand-held device, drive-by mobile equipment, or by a fully fixed radio antennae system without the need for reprogramming of meters.
In addition, the preferred Neptune T-10-ECoder water meters “are necessary for the conduct of the borough’s affairs for the following reasons:”
• The meters “are compatible with the borough’s financial software, which is important for its uses in billing and record keeping”
• “Upgrades of this system software are compatible with current versions of installed data collection software and hardware and do not require replacement of equipment”
• Allentown “is making a substantial investment in upgrading water meters and it is necessary to have one brand of water meter throughout the borough which uses one common software, replacement parts, and is compatible with the reading and billing system.”
Schmitt previously said one reason why officials are undertaking the water meter replacement program now is because many water meters in Allentown are coming to the end of their useful life. He said the average life of a water meter battery is about 10 years and the average life of a meter’s components is about 20 years.
Schmitt said the second reason for the project is accuracy. He said residents and the borough are engaged in a contract in which each customer should pay the accurate amount for the water he uses.
The council adopted a $2.9 million bond ordinance to fund improvements to Allentown’s water infrastructure. Schmitt said the money will cover the new water meters ($454,850), among other projects.
The councilman said a new wireless water meter will be installed in a resident’s home and can be read by a borough employee from outside the home. It is expected the new meters will measure water in gallons, and not the current measurement in cubic feet. The installation of the new water meters is projected to occur between October and December.
In other business, the council passed two resolutions regarding work performed or to be performed by J. Fletcher Creamer and Son Inc.
First, the council authorized a payment of $30,885 to the firm for work associated with the repair of a water leak at 49 S. Main St., and 51 S. Main St. on May 12 and 21.
Second, the council authorized a payment in an amount not to exceed $12,000 for the replacement of a curb stop (a water shut-off valve) at 4 N. Main St. Borough officials said the new homeowner is in need of a curb stop replacement in order to complete rehabilitation work at the property and to close out permits at the location.
Allentown’s water plant operator determined the work cannot wait to be completed as part of the borough’s regularly scheduled curb stop replacement work, according to the resolution, which noted that the Water Utility standing committee supported the action.