Wartrace water move scheduled next week

Weather permitting, Wartrace's long-awaited conversion to the Tullahoma Utilities Board for water should take place early next week. The project, almost two years in the making, has had its final phase postponed repeatedly this winter due to freezing or wet weather.

"On Friday and Monday, Clanton Paving will be there to get things uncovered and ready," said Bryan Smith, head of the water department, at the town's water board meeting Monday night. He said the company did not even get that far on the previous dates because of the winter weather.

Mayor Don Gallagher said the town would issue a notice before the conversion date, as soon as it was confirmed. Many Wartrace water customers will not have water throughout that day.

Town recorder Laura Gentry said the notification will be that much easier since the town's notification system is up and working. The system allows the town to notify customers who have signed up by texting them a message on their cell phones. Sign-up is free and can be done by calling the town hall at 389-6144. The system will also be used to notify the customers of tornadoes or other emergencies.

The day of conversion will also be publicized in the newspaper and on the radio, and at an earlier meeting Gallagher suggested creating a Facebook presence to use to share news.

Telemetry up

Smith told the water board that the telemetry system, which allows him to check every aspect of the water system on a computer, is up and running. He showed them the laptop computer provided with the new system.

"It'll save a lot of time and gas," said Smith. "I won't have to come all the way back here to see what the problem is."

Smith said the program sends an alert whenever there is an issue with the water. By pulling up the alert on the laptop, he will be able to go directly to the source of the problem and be able to resolve it more quickly. He said the town engineer was also on the program and would be able to communicate directly with Smith via the computer, even providing detailed schematics if needed by e-mailing them directly.

"It will save him drive time and not having to print things out," he added.

Siren prepped

EMA director Scott Johnson was in Wartrace Wednesday to look at the town's tornado siren to see if it could be linked in with the county's warning system. The siren, which had been stored away, was recently rediscovered at the urging of Wartrace Alderman Ed Simpson. It does work, and once a radio transmitter has been put it place, it will be connected with the county's 911, said Johnson. The siren will more than likely be placed on top of the newly renovated fire hall.

Public works

Smith warned the board that the conversion to TUB will mean his crew of two will be dedicated to finding leaks as soon as possible and may not have time to perform other duties they have had in the past.

"Public works is going to have to be on the back burner," he said.

He requested the town consider hiring a seasonal part-time employee to perform those services -- such as public bathroom maintenance and mowing.