RPMUD March Update

Another update from last month sent out to the distribution list.

ARW

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Dick Judge and Ken Meneke have filed to be on the ballot in the May 10 election for the two directors' positions. These are four-year terms up in 2012.

Judge and Meneke have stated they are running because they want transparency in this taxing authority. They both want to represent the taxpayers/residents of River Plantation and Mosswood to protect their property values. They pledge to work to change the time of the meetings to 7:30 pm instead of 4 pm; notify residents of the meetings at least a week beforehand; furnish information on income and expenses of the district; and address any other concerns.

There will be another election in 2010 for three positions. It is interesting that RPMUD sent a notice about this election, but have yet to notify everyone about the proposed water plant.

We are planning a petition drive for RPMUD residents on Saturday, March 15 at 1 pm at our home. OR, to make it easier, you can ask five or ten of your neighbors to sign a petition. Just add this wording to the top of a sheet of paper: "I object to the location of the water plant at well #3 in the front of River Plantation." If they have signed a petition in the Pro Shop, they can sign this again. Have the residents sign their names and addresses. Ask if they are on our e-mail list. If not, please secure their e-mail addresses by using another sheet of paper for that list. Let us know which streets you are covering, so there will not be duplication. This petition serves two purposes: 1) lets RPMUD know we, as taxpayers/residents, oppose this and want our voices heard, and 2) it will alert people to this problem who don't know about it. When you are done, give us a call, and we'll pick up the forms and present them at the next board meeting on 3/27.

Now to the 2/28 Board Meeting -

When asked of the board what other sites they are considering, we were told they asked the Club if they had extra land and were told they did not, and they looked at the site of the burned-out condos in Mosswood. In our opinion, the Mosswood site is a terrible choice.

A question was asked if a feasibility study was done for this water plant. It was stated that the engineer prepared it and had it at his office. The board was asked why someone who would benefit from the construction would do the feasibility study. There was no answer. The engineer was called Friday morning 2/29, and the report was requested. Bill Kotlan said there was no feasibility report, but a justification report was compiled for the TCEQ. We asked for that. Didn't receive it until Thursday afternoon 3/6. It is now called a design report. #1 on the list of reasons for this plant: "A proposed commercial development within the District is anticipated to add an additional 381 Equivalent Single Family connections." (Thought this wasn't for the other side of the freeway.) #2 - "In committing additional capacity, consideration must be made to providing backup capacity to East Plantation Utility District (559 ESPCs)." (EPUD has more than enough water.) ??? This report was sent to TCEQ on 3/6.

Ramirez showed photos of how well the plant site at well #1 is covered by trees and vines. Homeland Security dictates that there can be no trees or foliage within ten feet of the fence. When we first got into this with RPMUD, we were told the trees and vines at well #1 would be torn down, because of this regulation.

We checked the survey of the proposed plant at well #3. It appears that one and possibly two trees will have to come down when they start construction, because they are on the fence line. These are the two trees northeast of the out-of-bounds marker. This makes it more visible as you enter.

Hayes Utilities handles 20-30 MUD facilities in the area, plus a number of smaller facilities. All are using liquid purification, because they feel gas is too dangerous in a populated area. Our MUD still insists gas is the better choice of the two. What is going on here?