Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Coldwater census nears completion
By Betty Lawrence
Photo by Betty Lawrence/The Daily Standard
Coldwater village councilor Don Ahrns, left, village manager Eric Thomas, councilors Doug Bertke and Joe Knapschaefer, Mayor Vern Stammen and councilors Jerry Kessen, Rob Fisher and Kevin Brunswick look over the village map that is being used to help with a census project that must be completed by the end of the year. The census count helps determine the boundaries of the community's four wards.
COLDWATER - Residents received a census survey with their recent water bill.
According to the village charter, a census survey must be completed every 10 years to determine if a population change requires redistricting of the village's four wards. The population within each ward must be within 15 percent of each other.
Village Manager Eric Thomas said 1,750 surveys were mailed out, with a majority returned.
"I feel confident with the good numbers we have been getting back from the survey that we will have a nearly accurate count. It will never be 100 percent as people come and go all the time," Thomas said.
The project must be completed by the end of the year.
Council members viewed the new automatic meter reading (AMR) system located in the municipal center. Nearly 1,850 water meters will be replaced with the AMR system in the next three to four years.
Environmental committee chairman Joe Knapschaefer said when the meters are installed, each home will be checked for compliance to village water regulation. Those regulations include checking if sump pumps are properly connected, gutters are draining correctly and properties with cisterns have back-flow preventers.
If a problem is found, the homeowner is expected to correct the situation. Council has been discussing a penalty if a water customer denies access to their home. Action may range from fines to denial of service.
In other action, council members:
• Approved emergency legislation to accept the annexation of nearly five acres of land located on the northeast edge of the village. The land is owned by Brent and Randy Schwieterman.
• Slated a finance committee meeting for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21.
• Learned winterization of Memorial Park is nearly finished, village crews are preparing equipment for the winter and crews worked on a leaking pump at the village pool.
