EAST LIVERPOOL - The city will reap the benefits of a study valued at between $40,000 and $60,000 at no cost following action taken by the Board of Public Utilities.
Board members approved unanimously a study by Neptune Equipment of Cincinnati after representatives offered a presentation at Thursday's monthly meeting.
Tom Shupe, Northeast Ohio territory manager for Neptune said the company changed half the city's residential and the majority of its large meters 20 years ago, and the aging system now needs looked at.
Shupe pointed out the city is still sending meter readers door-to-door, which can be a liability. Some commercial buildings may have changed their usage over that 20-year period from manufacturing to retail yet still are serviced with the same meter, he noted.
The company proposed conducting an in-depth study focusing on large meters but also looking at residential meters, also giving the city 10 meters to replace 10 pulled from various parts of town to be tested. Such a study would normally cost upwards of $60,000, but Shupe said it will be conducted at no cost to the city. A report will be offered at the next board meeting on what is found and recommended.
Utilities Director Bob Disch said he had no problem with the company photographing meters, doing site surveys and checking records - all part of the study - reminding the board that, should it decide to implement any of the recommendations resulting from the study, "we'll have to sit down and decide how to pay for it."
