HUBBARD Will leak theory hold water?

Officials hope the savings will pay for a waterline project.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- After years of searching, the city hopes it has discovered where it has been losing water.
The old North Main Street waterline is suspected of being the culprit.
Over several years, the city had lost more than 40 percent of the water it buys for resale to its customers.
New waterline
Auditor Michael Villano reported to council and the administration that since a new waterline was activated on North Main Street in April, the loss has been lowered to 20 percent in May and June. The nearly $1 million project replaced old lines from the downtown to the city limits. "I just hope it holds," Mayor George Praznik told city council Monday about the decrease in water loss.
If the trend continues until the end of the year without significant fluctuation, the water problem may finally be put to rest, Villano wrote in his report.
The city has been trying for years to find the source of the loss, including looking for leaks and changing water meters.
"We have been beat up by our water loss," Praznik told council.
In both 2001 and 2002, for example, the city's average monthly loss was 37 percent.
With what appears to be a 17-percent decrease, the city will save about $4,500 monthly, Villano reported.
The savings may cover the North Main Street project debt, which is being paid off at $30,000 annually over 20 years.
Safety services
Safety director Robert Paterniti told council, meanwhile, that he will meet with police Chief Marty Kanetsky to discuss disbanding the auxiliary force.
The four auxiliary members wear police uniforms to park vehicles at community events and participate in holiday celebrations.
Kanetsky has said that because the auxiliaries are untrained but wear police-type uniforms, he is concerned about the city's liability.
If lawmakers decide to disband the unit, the auxiliaries will still be able to park cars, though not in police uniform.
Praznik told council it might want to consider replacing the roof on the city building.
He said the rubber-based roof is 14 years old and brittle. It will cost more than $50,000 to replace it.
A roofing contractor has been called in twice to repair the roof after thunderstorms. During the weekend, a leak caused water to soak into the dropped ceiling in his office and caused half of it to fall, he said.
Council authorized up to $3,700 for the 2004 Community Development Block Grant street resurfacing program.
The county has allocated about $40,000 to resurface East Park Avenue and Jones Street.
The project is estimated to cost $43,700.
yovich@vindy.com