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AKRON - After not being able to agree on which water meter system to purchase, the Akron town council delayed the vote until a special meeting.
Town clerk Pat Mitterling told the board that she believed that the Schlumberger System would be the best because of the software system.
Council president Roger Gearhart said he approved of the Sensus (EJP) System because the company offered a 15-year guarantee.
Mitterling said the system she wanted would better fit the needs of her office.
The EJP bid was for $45,630. The bid by Utility Supply was $46,534.25. Utility Supply offered a warranty of 10 years.
Covered by the bids was the order of 460 meters, meter and pad readings, a hand-held device, software, reading gun, installation and technical help.
Mitterling favored the Schlumberger system because of the added features that the system offered. One such feature was a long-term memory, which would aid in supplying a list of customers affected by a shutdown.
Gearhart said he favored the EJP system because of the warranty. "Between that 10th and 15th year we would start replacing meters at cost."
Town superintendent Marty Gearhart stated that he did not know the mechanics of the EJP system.
A special meeting will be set up in two weeks to decide which system to buy.
In other business, Pike Lumber Company representative Larry Hunter complained about the high cost of rent of the water hydrants and sprinkler system. He said the company pays at least $300 more than surrounding communities. He said the bill for the hydrants is $565.85 and only three hydrants are used by the company. Hunter requested that the cost of two hydrants be omitted and a flat fee be charged for the sprinkler system.
Hunter said that since Pike's paid for the construction of an 8-inch main and two ponds to assist in fire protection, the fees were too high. He said, "We feel the funding is out of line with the expenses we've had to endure."
The council also approved construction of a 911 tower in Akron to help communications between emergency services.
