St. Marie – Fix It Or Fold It

Dear Editor,

Nick Chiechi did not out of the sky raise rates! Due to the additional cost of Dry Prairie $14.25 EDU for all St. Marie water users, public hearings were held and a proposed rate increase was discussed. Montana Rural Water provided their formula arriving at the needed rate increase to cover the $7,000 monthly water source bill from Dry Prairie. Alice Hawkins, who was working on NVCW/S District budgets at that time, arrived at about the same dollar amount fee increase.

With our main AC (asbestos concrete) water lines joints breaking and tree root damage, the NVCW/S District Board of Directors decided to pursue State and Federal grants. Three engineering companies were interviewed in public meetings. Follow up interviews were conducted by Directors DeFelice and Chiechi and Great West Engineering, out of Billings, was selected based on their success rate and good reputation. They did their field and records survey and produced a PER or engineering review. The District recently received a grant check to pay for these services. Approximately 10 government agencies oversee the grant applications and give approvals.

Great West Engineering/grant writers calculated a proposed basic rate increase to St. Marie water customers of approximately $6 to cover the costs of grant expenses. Again, Nick Chiechi did not pull that proposed rate increase out of a hat! Public hearings were held and the public was informed. Resolutions were subsequently drafted to address same.

Some folks have limited understanding and lack reason so they continually "Gossip" and attack the President and Board of Directors on the NVCW/S Board. "I heard it through the grapevine" that some folks will circulate a petition to impeach the President of the Board...who is merely the spokesman and signer of contracts according to Montana Law. All Board decisions are discussed and debated and voted upon in public and run by the W/S Districts Attorneys. Freedom of speech, do what one wishes, but I must give a rebuttal.

For the health and safety as well as fire protection (fire hydrants) of St. Marie...the Board has undertaken efforts to secure grants. The Valley County Commissioners are currently studying a proposal to sponsor an additional CDBG Grant of $450,000 to aid in repairing and replacing a 65-year old crumbling water plant. No financial burden will be placed on Valley County, NVCW/S District will cover necessary costs as previously stated.

If the water didn't flow and the waste didn't go...St. Marie condo units would be uninhabitable and worthless. The Board's overall business plan is to create a stable strong staff and impose cost containment where possible. Rob Esias and Autumn Aliperto have been giving constantly their efforts to keep the Water/Sewer District going and in "Compliance." Essential spending while non essential spending in all areas is constantly being scrutinized. The functional and financial sustainability is paramount.

The current NVCW/S Board is made up of three individuals with corporate experience background and two attorneys with legal experience. All Board Directors live in St. Marie and are volunteering their services for a grand $55 per month for their efforts.

Sincerely,

Nick Chiechi

President NVCW/S District