By Stephen Floyd
The City of Mount Angel has begun the installation of radio-read water meters that could cut the work hours needed to take meter readings by a one full-time position.
The city has allocated $300,000 from federal COVID-19 relief funds for the project, and anticipates having all meters within the city upgraded before the end of 2024.
The new meters allow public works employees to collect meter readings remotely rather than walking up to visually inspect each meter. City Manager Mark Daniel said, when the upgrade is complete, this would save an estimated 1,920 hours of labor each year, or roughly 37 hours per week.
“It will save our public works folks a whole week where they can focus on other things,” he said.
Daniel said meters are being replaced as time allows, and one route that employees walk every month has already been completed.
Daniel said the Public Works Department has been doing “a phenomenal job” with this and other infrastructure projects before the city, including recent overlay projects on Franklin, Monroe and John streets aimed at reducing the number of gravel roads in town, and the installation of ADA-compliant ramps to sidewalks.
The city continues moving forward with other large-scale projects, such as potentially relocating City Hall and the Police Department. Daniel, who also serves as police chief, said while this remains on the horizon, there are not yet firm details to share publicly.
Daniel said all this progress is thanks in no small part to the dedicated efforts of city employees.
“We’re doing great work,” he said. “I’m very proud of the job everybody does.”
