SUBJECT: Beacon Meter Update
Title
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER/PREPARER: Russell Pennington, Deputy Public Works Director
Jody Lambert, Operations and Maintenance Manager
FISCAL INFORMATION:
Cost as Recommended: N/A
Balance Available: N/A
Fund: N/A
Budget Line Item Number: N/A
New Appropriation Required: No
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: N/A
Recommendation
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SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
At the January 26, 2016 Board of Trustees meeting, the Board directed Staff to proceed with the upgrade all water meters to the new Beacon smart meter system. This new technology would allow our water users to monitor their usage during the month and the new system also will automatically be transmitting data to the Town’s billing system. This process will convert all existing water meters over the next 10 years and allow for the smart meters to be installed in all new construction. Some of the benefits of the smart meters include:
• Online and Smart Phone access to your water consumption information to improve your understanding of water usage patterns and billing
• Set alerts to email and/or text you when a potential leak is detected
• See the results of your conservation efforts within 24 hours
• Monitor your usage through the month to better budget what your bill will be
The following is an update on all the components to make this program successful:
Project Progress/Schedule (dates subject to change)
• Utility Billing Upgrade - Upgrades to the Utility Billing System to receive the usage reads automatically each month (complete)
• Public Notification
o Media Release - Staff is developing a media release to inform all residents of the project and
o Door Hanger - Staff will develop a door hanger that will be given to all residents and new construction after a smart meter is installed. This door hanger will explain the new meter system and how to access the data should they choose to.
o Website Page - Staff is developing a page on the Town’s website where residents can continue to receive information regarding the smart meters.
o 2016 Replacement List - Staff has developed a list of meters that are scheduled for replacement in 2016. This list will be posted on the Town’s website so residents can see if they are on the schedule by address. If they are not listed for 2016, they may enter the Water Meter Lottery (see below).
o Installation Services Contract - With the approval of the installation contract, National Meter will begin installation of approximately 700 meters starting mid-August.
• Developer Notification - As mentioned above, when a smart meter is installed at a new construction site, the Developer will receive a door hanger for that address. They may choose to relay this information to the new homeowner.
• New Home Owners - Staff will include information regarding the new smart meters in the New Home Owner Welcome Packet.
• Water Meter Lottery - Staff will open up a lottery system for those not scheduled to be upgraded in 2016. This will be ran similar to the tree incentive program and will allow for up to 100 residents to be added to the 2016 replacement list. The tentative schedule for the lottery is:
o August 12 - Media Release
o August 19 - Lottery Open
o September 1 - Lottery Closed
o September 2 - Drawing and Results Posted
ATTACHMENTS: