PINEVILLE— The Pineville Utility Commission saw a rise in revenues in their December budget report due to freezing temperatures. Many of the Commission believed this was due to the fact that many people left their water running so their pipes wouldn’t freeze. The Commission is ahead of budget in revenue also because some positions are still open.

A sewer line break under US 25-E between Pizza Hut and the floodwall turned out to be far less severe than originally feared. The line was not broken under the road, but turned out to be a huge grease blockage. Rock and mud were found in the line and it is believed the line was not capped near the floodgate. Workers capped the line, keeping the break from being a much bigger issue.

Many planned projects were postponed due to the weather. The Commission still has work to do on a utility replacement on Kentucky Avenue, a utility replacement on Virginia Avenue and a waterline replacement on Woodland Hills/Paula Drive.

The Pineville Utility Commission will now be working with the Barbourville Utility Commission on boil water advisories. The Barbourville Utility Commission’s Bac-T lab allows the Pineville Utility Commission to have a 24 hour turn around for results.

Although using Barbourville’s Bac-T lab will be more expensive (before postage and handling) than sending samples to Pikeville’s lab, the quick turn around will help with customer service.

After an accident when one of the workers slid on ice and rolled down an embankment, the commission has approved to sell the Ford F-250. The process involved declaring the truck as surplus property, authorizing the purchase of the truck as salvage from KACO for the amount of $2,000, and then accepting the bid from Akins Excavating Company for $6,500. The Commission then approved the purchase of an Extended Cab 4 x 4 Pickup Truck from Wildcat Ford.

After Johnny Wilder resigned in interim, the Pineville Utility Commission now has three open laborer positions. They approved to fill one of those positions with Adam Evans. Evans worked with the utility staff during the summer of 2010 and will now work with the water distribution department.

One of the three blowers at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) stopped working and could not be repaired. It was recommended that the 15-year-old blower be replaced before warmer weather hits. The Commission approved to take funds from the maintenance and repair account to purchase the blower. It was also recommended that funds for a standby blower be put in the next budget in case one of the other blowers stops working.

Vaughn and Melton made a preliminary map for the Commission to review and compare with information they have collected to update the water system hydraulic model. The Commission will now be able to review the map on their software.

Other motions made by the commission:

• Approved minutes from last meeting, November 16, 2010

• Approved Water and Sewer Utility Expenditures for December 2010 and January

2011

• Approved Water and Sewer Financial and Budget Reports for December 2010

• Approved Management Report

Emily Greene is a correspondent for the Middlesboro Daily News. Contact her via e-mail at emilygreene5@gmail.com.