Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry.
I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #884, January 18, 2021
Issue #884, January 18, 2021
Public comments for Call to the Pubic are received via email and read into the Public Record by the staff. The emails submitted at the January meeting all addressed the issue of the placement of a water storage tank within the Boulders, and all the emails were provided to each member of the Town Council. Mayor Les Peterson explained that the Council does not vote on water issues. The water company is controlled by the Town of Carefree Utilities Community Facilities District (UCFD). The 7 Council members also serve as the Directors of the UCFD. One or two public meetings will be held in the future to discuss this issue.
No questions are taken from Council members during Call to the Public, by State Statute, since any issues raised are not on the agenda. Anything not on the agenda could exclude those who might wish to comment. However, Council members are permitted to reply if there is personal criticism or there are gross, egregious misstatements of facts.
The emails submitted are included in the link below, and most were submitted by residents of the Boulders HOA who were opposed to the proposed placement of the tank, with the exception of one. David Argo, Senior Vice President of one of the largest engineering firms in the U.S., said he thought it was vital that everyone understand the importance of adequate storage in a water system. Storage is like insurance in case there's a fire emergency within the service area. Some are complaining about the visual impact of a buried or partially buried tank, which can be screened with desert landscaping. What would their position be if water ran low during a fire emergency? He was sure that a plan could be developed that minimizes the visual impact.
https://vimeo.com/497528475
After all the emails were read into the record, Mayor Peterson informed the Council and the public that one or two meetings were being scheduled to address everything pertaining to this issue, including the impact on rates. The Mayor said it was evident that there was much miscommunication to the residents from people who did not have knowledge, but who portrayed that they did. He encouraged public participation at the meeting/s. Greg Crossman, of the UCFD, will present everything the Town knows.
When communications between the UCFD and the residents of the Boulders began in November of 2019, sketches were made and placed at the West Pool in the North Boulders. The Mayor was there for 3 hours. Only about 6 people showed up to view the sketches. After that, Dr. Ryan filed a lawsuit and recognized the suit filed by Carefree against the Cave Creek Water Company. Once in litigation, all communications ceased, as is the norm. "You can thank those who filed suit against the UCFD for ending all communications." Any communications ended up being used against the UCFD. That was a major contributor to the lack of communication.
The Mayor noted that there are 43 HOAs within Carefree, of which the Boulders is one. The other 42 have the same pride and don't want anything in their back yard either, which is understandable. But the problems faced by the 526 homes, 1000+ people, are very real. Quarterly statements that Cave Creek Water was required to send out to those they serviced read in part, "Some people who drink water containing TTHMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer". A responsible Town Council cannot stand on the sidelines and say, "Well isn't that too bad?"
Once the Council and the UCFD made the decision to act, it required another water storage facility somewhere in Carefree. An engineering study was commissioned that looked at 7 sites with a series of criteria. They identified the Boulders site as the only one which met the established criteria.
The litigation with Cave Creek is nearing the end, and the Town will be prepared to share accurate information. But Mayor Peterson wanted to clear up misconceptions expressed in the Call to the Public emails. He heard about industrial complexes and above ground water towers, none of which are correct. All but the top 3' of the proposed water reservoir is to be buried. The part above ground will be covered over and landscaped. The Town was recently told by OSHA that small stands for the electrical controls sand chlorine tablets must be placed. He ended by saying that he appreciates the pride in the Boulders community, where he also lives, but the Boulders residents are currently served by a water reservoir in another community to the north of the Boulders.
https://vimeo.com/497703591
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
No questions are taken from Council members during Call to the Public, by State Statute, since any issues raised are not on the agenda. Anything not on the agenda could exclude those who might wish to comment. However, Council members are permitted to reply if there is personal criticism or there are gross, egregious misstatements of facts.
The emails submitted are included in the link below, and most were submitted by residents of the Boulders HOA who were opposed to the proposed placement of the tank, with the exception of one. David Argo, Senior Vice President of one of the largest engineering firms in the U.S., said he thought it was vital that everyone understand the importance of adequate storage in a water system. Storage is like insurance in case there's a fire emergency within the service area. Some are complaining about the visual impact of a buried or partially buried tank, which can be screened with desert landscaping. What would their position be if water ran low during a fire emergency? He was sure that a plan could be developed that minimizes the visual impact.
https://vimeo.com/497528475
After all the emails were read into the record, Mayor Peterson informed the Council and the public that one or two meetings were being scheduled to address everything pertaining to this issue, including the impact on rates. The Mayor said it was evident that there was much miscommunication to the residents from people who did not have knowledge, but who portrayed that they did. He encouraged public participation at the meeting/s. Greg Crossman, of the UCFD, will present everything the Town knows.
When communications between the UCFD and the residents of the Boulders began in November of 2019, sketches were made and placed at the West Pool in the North Boulders. The Mayor was there for 3 hours. Only about 6 people showed up to view the sketches. After that, Dr. Ryan filed a lawsuit and recognized the suit filed by Carefree against the Cave Creek Water Company. Once in litigation, all communications ceased, as is the norm. "You can thank those who filed suit against the UCFD for ending all communications." Any communications ended up being used against the UCFD. That was a major contributor to the lack of communication.
The Mayor noted that there are 43 HOAs within Carefree, of which the Boulders is one. The other 42 have the same pride and don't want anything in their back yard either, which is understandable. But the problems faced by the 526 homes, 1000+ people, are very real. Quarterly statements that Cave Creek Water was required to send out to those they serviced read in part, "Some people who drink water containing TTHMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer". A responsible Town Council cannot stand on the sidelines and say, "Well isn't that too bad?"
Once the Council and the UCFD made the decision to act, it required another water storage facility somewhere in Carefree. An engineering study was commissioned that looked at 7 sites with a series of criteria. They identified the Boulders site as the only one which met the established criteria.
The litigation with Cave Creek is nearing the end, and the Town will be prepared to share accurate information. But Mayor Peterson wanted to clear up misconceptions expressed in the Call to the Public emails. He heard about industrial complexes and above ground water towers, none of which are correct. All but the top 3' of the proposed water reservoir is to be buried. The part above ground will be covered over and landscaped. The Town was recently told by OSHA that small stands for the electrical controls sand chlorine tablets must be placed. He ended by saying that he appreciates the pride in the Boulders community, where he also lives, but the Boulders residents are currently served by a water reservoir in another community to the north of the Boulders.
https://vimeo.com/497703591
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.