Residents may get new utility meters / City Council will vote on May 12 to award contract for installing devices

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by Steve Wiandt

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- All of the city's water and electric customers could get new meters within the next couple of years.

The finance and appropriations committee gave the go-ahead May 5 to send to City Council legislation that, if approved, would authorize a contract with Johnson Controls to provide and install a new automated water/electric meter reading system.

Valerie Wax Carr, city service director, said the new meters will be more accurate, save energy and reduce manpower costs. The new meters would be automated, Carr said, and readings would be retrieved remotely through a wi-fi/fiber optic system.

Carr said six positions would be eliminated with the new meters, however the employees who hold those jobs will either retire or transfer to other departments. "I really feel we'll get these people placed," she said.

Old meters would be replaced with new ones over an 18-month period, she said. The changeover will be widely publicized, she said, and customers will be asked to make an appointment to have a Johnson Controls subcontractor come and replace the meter.

There will be no cost to residents and businesses to change meters, Carr said. If in the process of getting a new meter, old water lines need replaced, that will be the individual's responsibility, but the city will help with expenses, she added.

Carr said customers will save money on their water and electric bills because the new meters will be more accurate. She said because they will be automated, the need for estimates will be eliminated.

"It sounds like a win-win situation," said Councilmember Don Walters (D-6), finance committee chair. "They [the residents] will reap the rewards."

Carr noted that for certain areas or buildings where there are numerous shut-offs and restarts, a more advanced meter can be installed that can be turned on and off by remote control.

E-mail: swiandt@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3141