The clerk-treasurer's request to approve expenditures of funds to start moving "problem" meters from the basements of certain residences was approved at the June 13 meeting of the Camden Town Council.

Three meters were addressed: 140 E. Main, 150 E. Main and 410 E. Cumberland. Access to reading the meters has been a problem and the goal is to move all inside meters out so that town workers can easily read them. The work will be done at the water superintendent's convenience.

Council president Ralph Rohrabaugh gave a brief update on housing rehab from Star Development. Necessary paperwork has been signed by the borrowers and preliminary work writeups are being put together on each home. That paperwork will be sent to the homeowners for their signature of approval. The lead risk assessments have been completed and they are awaiting results. There will be a pre-construction conference on June 29, bids will be opened on July 17 and bids will be awarded on July 25.

If funding allows, the town plans to purchase a new truck. Request for bids have been mailed and are to be received in the town office no later than 1 p.m. on July 19. Adate will be set to review the bids and determine how to proceed. Pavement Solutions recently worked on the streets. Rohrabaugh stated that regular street maintenance has saved Camden money and kept the streets in good order.

The town's contract with Waste Management will expire on July 14. The town is reportedly paying more for service than is being taken in from customers. The fees schedule will be visited and a revision is expected. Even though the customer count was adjusted by Waste Management, the new fuel surcharge is resulting in a loss. It has remained at $6.50 per customer for at least nine years. Rohrabaugh expects to have a new contract ready for the July meeting.

Plans are moving ahead with the Web site for Camden. Jana Rouhier was contacted to take digital pictures and she submitted an estimate of $50 to cover her cost.

Councilmember Andy Robison said the signs at the entrances to town are in disrepair and need replaced if they cannot be repaired. The signs were originally purchased with funds from the Fall Festival and then given to the town.

The Council thanked Jill Moudy and her committee for the wonderful job on this year's Youth Day Parade.

An auction will be held June 24 in the Community Building.

The next regular meeting will be July 11.

Public hearing

A public hearing followed the regular meeting regarding the proposed federally funded CDGB project.

Amy Miller of Cornerstone Grants Management explained the project and gave an update on the project's progress. Ms. Miller said the town is seeking $500,000 in CDBG funding from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and $250,000 from the State Revolving Loan Fund.

The funds are being sought to make numerous improvements and upgrades to the town's wastewater treatment system and sewer lines. Items needed include upgrade to the headworks, including a new magnetic flow meter; a new grinder; rehabilitate concrete and other works; construction of a new catwalk at the ponds; a concrete tank to treat ammonia and airration system; media growth material for augmentation; and UV disinfection. In the collection center, the lift station will be replaced, 25 manholes will be repaired and sealed, and the sewer pipe will be slip-lined.

The time frame and deadlines were discussed. The application will be submitted by July 13 instead of July 7. There will be a site visit planned in August. The final application is due by Sept. 22 and awards will be made in November. Once the grant money is awarded, funds must be expended in 18 months. The new requirement is that bids must be opened within five months instead of the eight months used in the past. This gives one month to get the bids in so the engineering firms have to get work done ahead of time.

Local financial need will be shown with the income survey that should be finished soon. The financial reports will show the project's effect on the local consumer with and without grant assistance.

Dr. Tom Anderson addressed questions to Ken Smith, Municipal Civil Corp., regarding the ultra-violet light that will be used in the system. He expressed concern for the cost of maintenance which Smith assured would be within reason.