Franklin City — The Franklin Water Commission on Nov. 18 approved routine business, elected a new chair and signed off on a small contractor change order while staff warned that the Lovers Lane water-tower project remains on hold pending leak detection and electric service.

Commissioners opened the meeting by approving minutes from Oct. 21 and the November voucher list. A motion to elect officers followed after questions about whether an unsworn member could be seated; commissioners nominated Dan Bean for chair and a candidate identified as Mira/Tamira for secretary and recorded affirmative votes for Bean.

In operational updates, a staff presenter told the commission that recent large-meter testing with a new contractor found no issues in the meters that were tested and that the utility continues planned meter replacements. Staffing remains one position short; a new hire is expected next week but the utility plans to delay additional hiring until spring.

The presenter said the utility is still seeing an unaccounted-for-water differential through the third quarter and that staff recovered hydrant meters and identified about 2,000,000 gallons associated with a single customer that will now be billed. "We had 2,000,000 gallons from 1 customer," the presenter said, noting that recovered metered volume will help close the differential.

On the Lovers Lane water-tower and water-main project, staff said the onsite loop boring was completed but that flushing revealed water coming up near a pit; the utility has scheduled leak detection. Staff also reported that We Energies has not yet connected electrical service at the site, though gas for a backup generator has been provided. The presenter cautioned that the tower cannot be filled or placed into service until leaks are resolved and expressed concern about filling the tower in cold weather if repairs remain unresolved.

Staff said the contractor is seeking a change order tied to access and work dating to 2024; the utility is disputing that request and may use the dispute as leverage in negotiations. "They're seeking a change order, but we're disagreeing," the presenter said, adding that the town may leverage the disagreement in discussions with the contractor.

New business included approval of Change Order No. 1 for the West Saint Martin’s Road / South Highway 100 water-main extension, increasing the contract price by $3,776.20 to install a 16-inch pipe. Staff described the change as quantity recognition that closes out the project. The commission moved, seconded and approved the change order.

Votes at a glance: minutes (approved), November voucher list (approved), Dan Bean elected chair (approved), Change Order No. 1 — West Saint Martin’s Road / South Highway 100 water-main extension (approved, $3,776.20). The meeting adjourned at 05:34.

The commission did not receive public comment. Staff said follow-up items include leak detection results, resolution of the contractor change-order dispute and scheduling with the electric utility before the Lovers Lane tower can be placed into service.