The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The Cathlamet Town Council reviewed the preliminary budget for 2009, voted to seek arbitration in a water rate disupte with Wahkiakum PUD and handle other business in its monthly meeting on Monday.

Mayor Dick Swarr reported that he was requesting a budget with no growth, new projects and, other than state mandated minimum wages, no employee raises for 2009. The General Fund and the Water-Sewer FUnd will need some reductions, he said, or rates may have to be increased.

Deferral or elimination of main replacements and other work could balance water department expenditures, he said, but the sewer program will have a $39,481 negative balance, so the council may have to consider raising rates.

Councilmembers and other officials said they would plan a workshop or special meeting before the council’s next regular meeting when they’ll act on the budget.

After meeting in an executive session to consider potential litigation, the council reconvened and votred to direct the town attorney to request arbitration of differences with Wahkiakum PUD regarding the the water suply contract between the entities. The PUD’s Puget Island Water System buys its water from the town.

A statement from the council said they settle costs and calculations used in adjusting the rates the utility pays for the water.

The council tabled action on a proposed ordinance allowing people to keep poultry in town. Instead, councilmembers agreed that the ordiance could be combined with a suggested ordianance concerning tethering of dogs to form a comprehensive animal care and control ordinance.

Citizen Erick Erickson in Septmber volunteered to create a draft ordinance for controlling dogs. He presented a 34-page document based on ordinances from Longview, Kalama, Tacoma and King County.

“What amazed me is how complicated it gets,” Erickson commented.

Councilmembers John Hannah and Bob Rendler said they work as a subcommittee and make a report at the council’s November 17 meeting.

Swart reported that two firms have expressed interest in talking to the council about the possibility of building and operating a wastewater treatment plant for the town.

The firms have asked to meet separately with the council in the coming month to talk about how the arrangement might work.

The cost of the plant is now estimated at over $10 million, which would be difficult for customers to pay. City officials want to find out if it is practical for the town to contract with a private company which would build the plant and operate it and collect fees for a 20-year period to recover their costs.

The council may soon have reports on water rights, a possible well site, and a predesign review for the wastewater treatment plant.

Engineer Ken Alexander of Gray and Osborn Engineering suggested the the council hold a workshop or special meeting to hear a summary of the reports.