MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF BLUEWELL PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT – JUNE 17, 2025
Attendees: Mr. Donnie Goins (Chairman), Mr. Robert Sexton (Secretary), Mr. Ricky Duncan (Treasurer), and Bryan Rotenberry (District General Manager).
The meeting was called to order with a prayer by Mr. Bryan Rotenberry. The minutes from the June 3, 2025 meeting were approved as written.
Bluewell PSD Operations:
- Water: Pumps for the Tabernacle Hill, Riggs, and Evangelism Road stations have been received and will be installed as soon as possible, using funds from the water capital reserve. Management has spoken with C2G regarding the cost of replacing the VFD at the Windmill Gap Station.
- Sewer: The district is facing challenges with I&I (Inflow & Infiltration) and bypassing issues. A fine has been received from the WV DEP for problems with the Montcalm system and bypassing into the river. A Plan of Corrective Action has been submitted to WV DEP, and the district is awaiting a response. The consolidation with Bramwell PSD has been approved by the Mercer County Commission, WV PSC, and UDSA, and management has stressed the urgency of finalizing the matter before June 30, 2025.
General: The district’s Rule 19A sewer case is final, with a Step 1 rate increase of 55.18% now in effect. A Step 2 rate increase of 68.09% will be effective after the merger of Bluewell and Bramwell PSDs.
Government-Funded Projects & Studies:
- Water System Upgrades: Several hundred meters have been delivered. The district is waiting on contractors for the other two contracts to start work. USDA-RD Drawdown #7 for $15,862.83 was approved unanimously.
- Browning Lambert Mountain: Bid opening was on February 12, and the bids were over budget with only one bidder for both contracts. The district is seeking additional grant funds to cover the overrun. A tentative date of July 9, 2025, has been set for contract signing.
- Bluewell PSD Dams #1 & #2: Bids for this project were also well above estimates and available funding. Swope Construction has begun removing the upper dam, and the district will be responsible for capping both ends of the pipe. IJDC Drawdown #3 for $98,550.00 was approved unanimously. The district will begin pursuing funding for the removal of the lower Dam #1 to satisfy a WV DEP order.
- Montcalm Sewer Collection System and Plant Upgrade: E.L. Robinson continues to work on this project.
Treasurer’s Report (May 2025): The report was approved. Deposits were $228,905.35, and debits were $295,159.73, resulting in a net loss of $66,254.38.
The meeting adjourned at 10:57 a.m.. The minutes were approved by Donnie Goins (Chairman), Ricky Lee Duncan (Treasurer), and Robert Sexton (Secretary).
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF BLUEWELL PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT – JULY 1, 2025
Attendees: Mr. Donnie Goins (Chairman), Mr. Robert Sexton (Secretary), Mr. Ricky Duncan (Treasurer), and Bryan Rotenberry (District General Manager).
The meeting opened with a prayer by Mr. Bob Sexton. The June 17, 2025, minutes were approved as written.
Bluewell PSD Operations:
- Water: The VFD for the Bramwell Hill Station has been replaced. Pumps for the Tabernacle Hill, Riggs, and Evangelism Road stations still need to be installed and will be paid for from the Water Capital Reserve Account. A new VFD for the Windmill Gap station will be ordered. The May water balance report showed that 19,570,000 gallons were pumped, which was 714,000 gallons more than in April. Water loss is an ongoing problem due to weather events and telemetry issues.
- Sewer: I&I and bypassing continue to be a problem. The WVDEP has issued a fine for bypassing into the river and has required the district to submit a plan to correct the problems. A corrective plan has been submitted, and the district is awaiting a response. The consolidation of Bluewell PSD and Bramwell PSD has been approved by the Mercer County Commission and the WV PSC. The closing of the consolidation was completed, and final documents were filed at the Mercer County Courthouse on June 27, 2025.
General: The Rule 19A sewer case is final, with the Step 1 rate increase of 55.18% in effect. The Step 2 rate is a total of 68.09% and will become effective after the consolidation.
Government-Funded Projects & Studies:
- Water System Upgrade: All radio meters for this project have been received and are being installed. Work has started on the telemetry and the removal of two old tanks at the Bluewell Estates site.
- Browning Lambert Mountain: Bids were over budget with only one bidder for both contracts. The district is contacting other funding agencies for guidance.
Delinquent Accounts Report (Combined Bluewell and Bramwell):
- 30 Days: $54,751.14 (an increase of $8,456.16 from last month)
- 60 Days: -$5,983.28 (a decrease of $1,853.17 from last month)
- 90 Days: $88,828.35 (an increase of $2,290.26 from last month)
The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 a.m.. The minutes were approved by Robert Sexton (Secretary), Donnie Goins (Chairman), and Ricky Duncan (Treasurer).