Page 38 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2018

I don’t know about you, but I rarely gave Trenton Road much thought.
I love the section that parallels River Road. I sometimes take it coming home from Santa Rosa when I want to get a sense of being on a sweet country road in the middle of the rich, luscious countryside we live in. And of course, when River Road is backed up it’s fun to know the local way around a tra c jam.
There is a new library in town
One section of Trenton I use a lot is “the cut o .” Just west of the Farmhouse Inn the section of Trenton Road from River Road to Mirabel takes me right to Speers Market when I need to pick up a few things for dinner. So, I noticed when it was closed a couple of days last month. A phone call from a distraught neighbor let me know why. The utility company somehow decided that since there were several ugly utility poles along that stretch, why not erect a super enormous pole smack dab in the middle of them. It’s impressive, looks like
Graton Community Services District needs you
it can handle lots of electricity. Problem is, they put it right in front of several lovely houses. When you drive by I want you to think of your reaction if PG&E, without warning, decided to plop down such a pole just a few feet from your front door. Is it fair? I don’t think so. Let’s face it, we need electricity, otherwise how would I write this column and know my word count at the push of a button? But locating it where they did? Shame on them for not taking the time to nd a more appropriate place for their super pole. Maybe they are so in love with their new technology they forgot the human equation. Expect protests. It’s no way to be a good neighbor.
The Graton Community Services District is a local government agency dedicated to operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment facilities in the unincorporated Graton community. The district is governed by an elected, ve member Board of Directors who attend regular monthly meetings and serve as local decision makers with respect to the sewer district. Our dedicated members are David Clemmer President of the Board, Matt Johnson Vice President of the Board, David Upchurch Board Member, Karin Lease Secretary, Devon Drew Board Member, and Jose Ortiz General Manager Part-time contracted employee.
But we do have plenty of examples of good neighbors here in Forestville. In fact, the Chamber is recognizing 4 outstanding community members at their Annual Awards dinner coming up. Voted “Volunteer of
the Year” is the always ebullient Andy Farriester. His extraordinary work organizing the team of volunteers who stepped up after the October res helped feed thousands of rst responders and displaced folks. Working
hand in hand with the “Business of the Year” Daniel Kedan and Marianna Gardenshire’s Backyard Restaurant, together they showed how great things can happen when a community bands together. Backyard’s commitment to Forestville is unquestioned. “Citizen of the Year” is the indomitable Wendy Flowers, who will be taking over management of the Farmer’s Market this year. The event is a sell-out so don’t wait another minute to buy tickets or you’ll miss out. Tickets can be found at the Forestville Pharmacy or just call Wendy, this year’s Chamber President, at 887-2561. The date Saturday, May 19 at 5 pm.
If you drive by the Youth Park April 7 you’ll notice lots of cars and activity. Yep, it’s Opening day for El Molino Little League. They are kicking it o with a great Pancake Breakfast starting at 8 am. Stay for the opening ceremony at 10. It’s the 55th year of baseball at the Youth Park!
In fact, the Youth Park recognizes kids not into team sports need a place too. That’s why they support the idea of building a Skate Park here in town, an idea rst put forth by teen Ellery Kuntz. He and his mom have been amazing in their determination and, as we all know, cheerful perseverance goes a long way in ful lling your dream. You can support them in that dream by attending the Fun Run they are organizing for Sunday April 22. It’s a 5K and 10K starting at the Youth Park. 7:45 am registration for an 8:30 start. Expect music, super cool tee shirts, food and prizes. Go to www.forestvilleskatespot.com for details.
And the best deal in town in April is de nitely the Forestville Education Foundations Spring Fling slated for Saturday April 21 from 4-8
in the downtown park. For only $40 you get to hear the Blues Burners, have amazing appetizers and beverages, bid on creative silent auction items, maybe even be the top bidder for Imagine Dragon tickets. It’s for the school so get your tickets soon! You can pick them up at the school or go online www. forestvilleusd.org.
El Molino High School puts on their Spring Play “The Addams Family” on April 12, 13, 14 and the 19, 20 and 21 at 7 pm. Amazingly talented kids so I’m really looking forward to it.
AND If you haven’t yet joined our 600 Lions campaign, please do. Go to donations.elmolino.org. Or write a check to El Molino Education Fund, with 600 Lions at the lower left, and mail to 7050 Covey Road, Forestville, CA 95436.
38 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 4/18
The background:
Modeled after the New York City Library, complete with lions! The free library is located in front of the Fanning residence at 9155 Grey St. Please come and visit, and, if you like take a book and/or leave a book.
I meet with GCSD Board President David Clemmer and Board Member David Upchurch to discuss the proposal of treating Occidental’s waste water as a means of generating needed revenue for GCSD.
GCSD meets very 3rd Monday. These meetings are open to the public and board members have expressed that they encourage your attendance. 6:00PM to end at Graton Day Labor Center
David Clemmer rst started going to the GCSD meetings in 2010 when
he became concerned over rising sewer rates and cost overruns of capital improvement projects. He started by just attending meetings and asking questions. In 2015 he was asked if he would be a member of the board and wanting to be more involved in the district he agreed to and became President of the board. He and other existing board members saw that expenses were greater than revenues, resulting in budget overruns in ve out of six years and a reduction in operating reserves.
To achieve nancial stability, the Board funded a management study. The objective of this assessment was to identify opportunities for improvement in the plan of organization, the operational and economic e ciency of the District, and develop practicable opportunities for enhancing the organization of the District to address its long-term nancial, wastewater collection and treatment requirements, and asset challenges. The management study came about when the past GM informed the board that there would be a $450,000 de cit. Matt Johnson and David Clemmer became an ADHOC committee attempting to reduce the budget. GCSD Had been running in a de cit 5 out of 7 years in
2015 and depleting reserves. GCSD’s major funding is through property sewer taxes. Other revenue is generated by connection fees (which are charged per dwelling), grants, and low interests loans (paid back by rate payers) forgiveness loans. Graton quali es as a small disadvantaged community with nancial hardship.
GCSD Board has implemented many of the recommendations to improve its e ciency. Improvements include a partnership with a PG&E e ciency resource who collaborates with GCSD on where and how to save on Utility costs. Operators have reduced the usage of the aerator to decrease utility spending. The use of chemicals has been scaled back for treatment of waste water and they have adjusted the logic controls systems to perform at a higher e ciency.
Despite savings, the xed rate does not have provisions for automatic adjustments to account for cost of operating increases, rising cost of treatment chemical, and gas and electric costs. In other words, in time there won’t be su cient revenues to run the plant and comply with regulations. Unlike a large city where continued development provides an increasing revenue stream, GCSD has only seen marginal growth since its formation in 2005-2006. “We cannot sustain a balanced budget inde nitely” says David Clemmer and “we need to build some reserves” says David Upchurch. David Clemmer acknowledges that they “We want to run better and leaner as well as continue to look to the future”. Rates have not increased in 6 years. In fact in 2017 there was a savings passed to the rate payers when a bond from 1975 was paid o . This saved rate payers $30-$75 per year.
GRATON cont’don page 39