Water Board Mediates Lawsuits

On Wednesday, the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) arrived at a mediated settlement with Ram II Construction in the lawsuit and countersuit between the two entities. The settlement agreement requires the contractor to upgrade lift stations and manholes to the specifications originally provided by the project engineer in return for the release of retainage funds and a final accounting and closeout of all projects as required by the Texas Water Development Board. The agreed upon settlement has no impact on the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation's bottom line and will not affect the water and wastewater rates of SWSC members.

Skidmore Water Supply CorporationHosts Open House

Left to right: SWSC Board Members, Santana Lopez, Henrietta Brundrett, Bill Hartman, Antonio Alcorta, and Keith Petrus; Project Engineer, Allen Booe; Consultant, Walter Hill; and County Commissioner, Ronnie Olivares.

Community members and local dignitaries recently enjoyed a tour of the newly constructed Skidmore Water Supply office building and laboratory. Attendees of the Tuesday, August 2nd, Open House were treated to coffee, punch, and a light buffet. SWSC Board Member Henrietta Brundrett served as coordinator of the event with help from General Manager Alice Boland.

Skidmore Water Supply Outage

As of 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning, the town of Skidmore was without water. A lightning strike during Saturday's thunderstorms affected the automated systems controlling the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) pumps. SWSC is aware of the problem and is working to restore water service as soon as possible.

UPDATE: As of 2:00 a.m. Sunday, the water lines have been re-pressurized. Some fluctuations in water pressure may be experienced Sunday morning as SWSC employees continue to work at restoring the pumping station to normal operation.

Skidmore Water Supply Corp. Elects New Board of Directors

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation held its annual meeting Tuesday, March 27, at the Skidmore Fire Station. Members cast ballots from a list of candidate nominees, of which 4 would fill open positions on the Board. The newly elected Board includes Antonio Alcorta, Henrietta Brundrett, Bill Hartman, Keith Petrus, and Santana Lopez.

Immediately following the election, the Board convened a special meeting to select corporate officers. Keith Petrus was named President, Santana Lopez - Vice President, and Henrietta Brundrett - Secretary/Treasurer. The Board will hold its next regular meeting April 9th, at 6:00 pm in the SWSC office.

Water Board Seeks Member Support in Changing Bylaws

In a letter, dated December 21, 2006, the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation announced a special meeting to be held at 2:00 p.m., January 9th, 2007. The purpose of the meeting is to amend the bylaws of the corporation to allow 10% of the membership to represent a quorum at annual meetings rather than 50% as is now required. To that end, SWSC is asking that members either attend the October 9 meeting to cast their vote, or return a proxy letter allowing SWSC Board Member Keith Petrus to vote on their behalf.

Why do the bylaws need to be changed? Back in October, SWSC held its annual meeting to elect or re-elect board members but was unable to do so legally because a relatively small number of SWSC members attended the 7:00 p.m. meeting. Since everyone who signs up for water or waste services becomes a member of the corporation, total membership is currently nearing 300. That means that close to 150 people would be required to vote in the Board election under the old rules. The proposed bylaw amendment would reduce the number of members required to a more realistic level.

Please note also that, should you decide to send in your proxy, it would only be used in voting on the issue stated above and would expire on the day following the amendment of the bylaws. Please call the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation at 287-3433 for additional information.

SWSC Annual Meeting Tuesday

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) will hold its annual meeting Tuesday, October 10th. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Skidmore Fire Station. The regular monthly SWSC board meeting has been moved to Wednesday, October 11th at 2:30 p.m. and will also be held at the Skidmore Fire Station.

Lightning Cause of Water Pumping Station Failure

At approximately 9:00 p.m. Sunday evening, the Skidmore-Water Supply Corporation suffered a perfect storm of events leading to the temporary loss of water to Skidmore residents. First reports are that lightning tripped a fuse at 1st and Main Streets leading to a "phase loss" at the pumping station. For reasons yet to be determined the station back-up generator failed to kick in. As of this report, power has been restored to the station and the pumps are being primed to return water service to SWSC members.

Apply Now for Water and Waste Services

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) is busy connecting local residents into Skidmore’s new water and wastewater system. The SWSC has hooked up close to 100 residents and reminds those not yet connected to drop by the SWSC office and fill out an application for service. The office is located just to the left of Papa’s Market on Hwy 181 & Main Street and is open Mon-Wed-Fri from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Low income applicants qualifying under ORCA guidelines will pay a refundable $25 water and $25 waste deposit. All other members will pay a $100 membership fee for each service, a $25 refundable deposit for each service, and a $25 customer service inspection fee. Applications are available for download at www.skidmorewatersupply.com

Water Board Meeting Moved to June 7

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation will meet Tuesday, June 7th instead of Tuesday, June 14 as originally scheduled. The meeting will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Skidmore Fire Station at 4th & Refugio.

Water and Waste Services Now Available to West Side Residents

Skidmore residents west of 4th Street may now apply for  water and sewer services from the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC). All residents within the original facility plan will receive hook ups at no cost. Low to low moderate income families meeting ORCA grant requirements will be able to hook up immediately as that grant is in place. Families not meeting ORCA requirements may opt to hook up now for a fee or wait until USDA funds become available hopefully in 2 to 3 months.

Applications for service are available at the Skidmore Water Supply Corporation office located next to Papa's Market. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A $25 refundable deposit for waste water and a $25.00 deposit for water will be required on all new residential accounts.

Q. Do I have to have to hook up to city water and sewer services?

A. State Regulations require you to hook up to sewer services if your property line is within 200 feet of a waste water gathering line. You do not have to hook up to city water, however if you do not hook up to the water at this time you will be obligated to pay for this service in the future.

Q. What is the monthly fee for water and wastewater?

A. Water will be billed at $20.25 for first 2000 gallons plus $2 per additional 1000 gallons. Wastewater will be billed at a flat rate of $25.00 per month. Business and church rates will be based on usage.

Q. What will it cost if I decide to hook up to city water at a later date?

A. Membership fees are $100 for water and $100 for wastewater. Membership fees for residents covered under the facilities plan will be paid by the ORCA and USDA grants provided they connect to the system within 3 months from the date services become available. Residents who postpone water hookup will have to pay the fee plus yardline fees and other cost.

Q. I am planning to build a new home in Skidmore. How much will it cost to hook up to city water and wastewater services?

A. An impact fee of $2,288.00 for water and $1,955.00 for wastewater will be charged to new customers not covered under the 1999 facilities plan. Impact fees will be deposited into a separate account to cover the future expense of expanding the plant.

Q. Will we still have hard water?

A. The water comes from two 600 foot wells and its low mineral content will result in relatively “soft water.” The chemical analysis is available for review at the SWSC office.

Water Board to Hold Public Hearing

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation will hold a public hearing 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 18th, at the Skidmore Fire Station. Water Board President Jim Strong and other members will be on hand to answer questions about water and wastewater services to the Skidmore township.

Water Board Begins Work on East Side

The corner of Sullivan and 3rd Street.

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation began laying the water and wastewater lines on Skidmore's east side this week. Water board president Jim Strong estimates the east-side work could be completed in as little as 6 months but was careful not to make any promises. Water lines on the west side of Hwy 181 are scheduled for testing Monday or Tuesday and, assuming all goes well, residents and and businesses along 181 could have access to city water the following week.

Water Board Receives USDA Grant

Jake Sheeran of the Texas Rural Development Office delivered welcome news during Tuesday's Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) board meeting. Mr. Sheeran announced that SWSC would be the recipient of a $509,250.00 USDA grant. Funds from the grant will be used to cover the cost of hooking local residents up to the new water and waste-water lines currently being laid throughout the Skidmore township. Low income families were already covered under a previous ORCA grant and now, thanks to the USDA grant, local residents, regardless of income, can count on being connected into the new system.

Water Board Public Meeting Thursday Evening

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation will hold a special public meeting Thursday evening at 7:00 pm at the Skidmore Volunteer Department on 4th & Refugio. The purpose of the meeting is to answer questions and address concerns from the community regarding the new water & wastewater system currently under construction. Those who are unable to attend the monthly afternoon meetings are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the new system.

Water Board Schedules Public Meeting

The Skidmore Water Supply Corp. Board of Directors met Tuesday. Representatives of Invensys gave a presentation touting the benefits of their line of remotely accessible water meters. The Board plans to weigh the cost vs. benefits of installing such a system. Water Board President Jim Strong announced that approval of $500,000.00 in ORCA funding would be pushed back to April due to the fact that the required 70% survey of the community had not yet been completed. Mr. Strong also reported irregularities in the survey questionnaires completed to date and designated a committee to review the forms. It was noted that the Board did not have access to the 911 addresses needed to identify the homes in the survey. County Commissioner Ronnie Olivares, who attended the meeting, promptly made a phone call and secured a CD-ROM containing the necessary 911 information. Before adjourning, the Board scheduled a Public Meeting for Thursday, January 29th at 7:00 pm at the Skidmore Fire Station. Community members interested in learning more about Skidmore's new water supply and waste disposal system are encouraged to attend.

Water Board Enlightens Community at Public Meeting

The Skidmore Water Supply Corporation (SWSC) held a public meeting Saturday morning at the Fire Station. A small crowd of local residents attended the meeting as well as County Commissioner Ronnie Olivares, and County Judge Jimmy Martinez. The board explained that lower to middle income families would get free water and waste hookups to their homes under the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) grant and that a pending USDA grant would likely cover the rest of the community. For example, a family of 4 with a total combined income in excess of $32,950 would not be eligible under ORCA but may be covered by the additional USDA funds. The exact amount of USDA funds available will not be known for a matter of months but board members are confident the USDA grant will come through. The cost of connecting water and sewer lines was estimated at $1,500 to $1,600 for those not covered under the grants. However, upper-income property owners will have the option of completing the connections themselves should the grant money run out. Ram II Construction has been contracted to lay the water and waste lines and will set up a temporary office adjoining Papa's Market. Residents are encouraged to double check, and revise if necessary, the proposed location of water and waste hookups by speaking with Ram II owner Ralph Menard. It was pointed out that the SWSC has raised over $5,000,000 for community water and waste disposal and that the installation of fire hydrants along the water lines would likely lower residents insurance rates. The SWSC will hold a special meeting at 2:30 pm on Monday, December 22, at the Skidmore Fire Station.