Geography, availability cited for lack of depth
Fontana Dam – A major want of one Graham County township just graduated into a need.
The main water treatment plant operator/operator in responsible charge for Fontana Dam has been quarantined due to possible exposure to the coronavirus, Town Administrator Zelerie Rogers revealed at Monday night’s council meeting.
Training and hiring another operator in responsible charge has been the subject of much discussion among council members, but the town may have to take drastic measures to ensure the flow of water operation does not go interrupted. Compounded with the holidays forcing the town’s backup operators to be available on a limited schedule, an outside source may need to be paid to cover shifts throughout the remainder of 2020.
Though a new pump has been ordered to help address the town’s intermediate water tank – which is suffering from leaks – the supply could only be deemed safe for around 18 hours if the tank was not in use before a boil advisory would have to be issued, eliminating the possibility of leaving shifts unfilled.
“The state sent a list of people that were willing to contract,” Rogers said. “In talking with Meredith (Jenkins, manager of Fontana Village Resort), we might could put them up (in a room) for a couple of days.”
Rogers later confirmed that the list included candidates in Andrews and Sylva, all who will be contacted about filling the role.
Mayor Rob Hardy proposed the idea of consulting with one of the town’s back-up operators – Carrie Stewart, ORC at the Long Creek Water Treatment Plant outside of Robbinsville – on potential hires.
“You come over here and work on a part-time basis, we kind of get to see (what they can do),” Hardy said. “We have to potentially get a contractor to come in here on short notice, and that’s very expensive.”
“We’re so isolated out here, that if we can’t provide housing, it’s gotta be somebody local,” Rogers added. “If we can get through this, that’s good, but we need to find somebody willing to come in and start training or is already trained.”
“This was our fear, that this might happen,” council member Jordan Hedrick noted.
Fontana Dam’s water plant operators are contracted through the resort.
Also at the meeting:
* Rogers announced during the financial report that the town has a balance of $161,189.13.
* Hardy was unanimously appointed as the town’s newest delegate on the N.C. League of Municipalities.
* The council approved a motion to move its meetings back to the third Wednesday of every month, beginning Jan. 20.