The Plainview Water District held a meeting on Thursday, August 4, at 7 p.m. to further address residents' concerns about the construction on water supply well 2-1 located on Donna Drive. The meeting was held in the Water District Boardroom on Manetto Hill Road, a change from the June 30 meeting, which was held in the Mattlin Middle School auditorium. Representatives from the H2M Group were present at the meeting.

"We have changed the venue for a more working-type meeting," said Water District Superintendent Paul Granger.

Granger was present with the Water District's Board of Commissioners, including Edward Shulroff, chairman; Kevin Langberg, treasurer; and Joel R. Kessler, secretary.

Shulroff made introductory remarks, followed by James Neri, project manager of H2M, giving a presentation on the new renderings for the upgraded Plant 2.

The new renderings of the site post-construction have been enhanced to reflect public concerns. Besides these refinements of the rendering, the district has also had the site cleaned up to a degree since the last meeting, with weed-whackers brought in and portable toilets removed.

Two of the residents' major concerns were prevention of loitering and the noise level produced by the generator. The first issue has been a continual problem as residents claim people have used the site for drinking and hanging out at night. With 35 feet of open grass, some worry the new layout will be conducive to these disturbances. While residents had several suggestions about fence heights and locations to keep out any trespassers, the district has already planned for an automatic security fence and has made an agreement with the Plainview Auxiliary Police to patrol the area for loiterers.

As for the generator's own noise disturbance to the community, it will project at an estimated 100 to 110 decibels, a number already reduced by 35 db from added insulation. However, the site's generator is on standby, meaning it will only run during power failures or during periodic testing periods lasting between 15 and 30 minutes. In addition, the district has clearly outlined the vehicle traffic that the community should expect from delivery, chemical and fuel trucks. Donna Drive residents should not fear large vehicle traffic except during every 10th year, when the water tower must be repainted.

With the aesthetics of the site clearly in mind, Granger presented a sample of the black razor wire chain-link that will be used for the eight-foot fence. The sample was met with approval. Afterwards the public had input as to which colors would be selected for the siding, stone and roof of the site's buildings. Residents were given the opportunity to view different color and material samples brought in by Neri. The selected siding shade was prairie sand, a tan color. The stone chosen was buff orange, a tan/orange color, and heather blend, a darker tan, was selected for the roof.

The meeting concluded with plans to meet again, for the community to approve the final measurements and decisions before plans are submitted for approval and construction begins. Overall, the district is pleased with the cooperation and close working relationship they have had with the Donna Drive residents, according to district officials.

"The quality of our water supply and the safety of our customers are the top priorities of the Plainview Water District Board of Commissioners," said Commissioner Edward Shulroff. "It is important for district residents to know that our water quality remains excellent. We will continue to work with the community as we continue with the project."

Granger agreed, saying there was a lesson to be learned here, for every large capital project with which the district becomes involved.

"The next action here is to keep the communication process going," Granger said. "We exist to serve the community, not the other way around."

Residents can call Plainview Water District Superintendent Paul Granger at 931-6469 with any questions.