Briefly...

       March 1, 2004

Wastewater Treatment Permit...

       In a document regarding the Town of Eatonville's reapplication for a Wastewater Treatment Permit, the Department of Ecology twice states "The Mashel (sic) River is a glacial fed river..." This is not accurate. Though winter snow pack contributes seasonally to the Mashell and its tributaries, they all originate in the foothills east of Eatonville, north of Ashford, and several miles west of Mount Rainier's west side glaciers. One of those tributaries, the North Fork of the Mashell River, flows from a very small body of water called Mary Lee Lake.

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Van Eaton Recalculating Water Hookups...

      Last fall Interim Public Works Director Greg Wilder estimated the town had between 30 to 90 ERUs (equivalent residential units - new water hookups).. Wilder said he has done "hundreds and hundreds" of ERU calculations. (He explained that some towns don't meter water and have no records, thus, nature comes into play, i.e. total rainfall, and statewide historical records are also used.)  He told the planning commission and council that Eatonville didn't have enough hookups to provide water for the number of new houses set to be built.
     Wilder asked consulting engineers from Gray & Osborne, Inc. (G & O) to calculate how many ERUs left in town . Using records provided by the town utility clerk, as well as pumping records, G & O, under the supervision of John Hastig, calculated how many new water hookups were available to the town.  In their September 2003 final report G & O found the town had only 29 ERUs. Please see Calculations
      Public Works Director Jamieson Van Eaton, an electrical engineer, told ENN on February 20 that he was recalculating available ERUs and was "80 percent finished" with his calculations. Van Eaton also stated, at the time, that he already knew the number of ERUs, but had to finish his calculations before making the number public. Van Eaton said he had never done ERU calculations before, but explained that he had done "electrical" and they were about the same. Van Eaton also said there would be no one double checking his calculations.

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Council Decides on Smaller Hilltop Reservoir...

     The Eatonville Town Council has decided to build the smaller version of the new Hilltop Reservoir.  Instead of Tank 1124, a reservoir which could hold 1.14 million gallons and cost an estimated $1,350,000, the council chose Tank 1077 which will hold 0.61 million gallons and cost approximately $900,000. The council voted to pay RH2 engineers $14,000 to "redesign" the tank. 
     Kyle Pettibone with RH2 said they will "modify the design slightly" and that it would take "a couple of months" to complete the design modification for the smaller reservoir, adding he hoped it would be "sooner rather than later." The Hilltop Reservoir will be located on the Rath Plat.
     According to Public Works Director Jamieson Van Eaton, the smaller tank will suit the town's needs until 2008 when booster pumps, and perhaps other hydraulic additions, will be needed. Van Eaton's Agenda Bill   states, "Tank 1077 with no gallons of non-usable storage, can provide adequate water pressure to 985 feet. Construction above 985 feet will require a booster system than can be constructed at a later date...All lots in Hamner Springs (Rath Plat) is (sic) below the 985 ft. level."
    Van Eaton also notes, "This design will require $197,000 in additional funding. Public Works is gathering information on funding options." And later adds, "Redesign of this project is estimated to be $14,000; Services During Bidding and Award $8,594; Construction Phase Services $43,387, totaling $65,981. Where the Town will identify additional funding of approximately $197,000 is yet to be determined."
    The council voted unanimously to  pass Resolution 2004-Q which "authorizes the Mayor to sign an agreement for Public Works services in the amount of $65,981.00." 
     Reservoirs do not increase ERUs. For more information About the Rath Plat please see Rath Plat Slide Area

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Petition to Change Government Finally Attached to Names

     A petition to trigger an election to change town government caused a certain amount of confusion when it was sent to citizens February 10 because there were no names attached to the document. Fifteen days later some of the people backing the petition identified themselves. The framers of this "serious petition" include Ron "Grins" Pierce, Steve Lind, Nancy Ellis, Bob Schaub, Roy Swanson, Meredith Weilert and husband Tom. For more information please see Anon    

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