Fries water plant earns award

FRIES – Fries recently received good news regarding its water operations.
Mayor Gary Sumner said at last Tuesday’s Town Council meeting that the Office of Drinking Water, Abingdon Field Office, Department of Health, recently presented the town with a 2011 Excellence in Waterworks Operations Gold Award.
According to a letter from Eric Herold, district engineer, “This award indicates your water treatment plant met the Virginia Optimization Program goals for clarification, filtration and filter backwash during 2011.”
Fries received a certificate signifying the honor signed by Karen Remley, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health and Wesley Kleene, director of the Office of Drinking Water.
In another matter, Fred Kirby, water plant operator, announced his retirement effective July 31 in a letter to Sumner.
Kirby has worked for the town for 54 years.
Town Council was also informed by Corbin Stone, certified public accountant for Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates, that it would conduct an audit for the years ending June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
The audit will cost $24,000.
The town has received a $30,000 revolving loan fund line of credit from the Mt. Rogers Planning District Commission to pay for the audit.
Council agreed not to make any changes in its meeting date in July because of the holiday. They will meet on July 3 at 7 p.m. at the Fries Community Bingo Hall.
Three new members of council who were elected in May 2 election will begin their four-year terms. They include Jerry McCormick, Dawn Patton and Bill Davis.