April 18 is Linemen Appreciation Day!

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While we appreciate our linemen every day, we set aside this day every year to recognize line workers and their vital role in maintaining and growing our energy and cable infrastructure. They work to protect public safety after catastrophic events and they keep the lights on for the communities who depend on FPB.

The job of a lineman is critical to the safe and efficient delivery of power and cable/telecom services for our customers. Transmission crews make repairs to the higher-voltage lines on towers and large poles typically used to feed power to substations. Distribution crews perform regular maintenance on the high-voltage system that delivers power directly to homes and businesses, which often includes the installation of new poles and transformers, both overhead and underground.

And of course, all line workers are trained to respond to major outages in events such as high winds, ice and storms.

Line workers take great pride in their work and consider it a privilege to serve their communities.

Line workers are true heroes in our communities. If you know a line worker or see one working, take a minute to thank them, whether they're working near your home or in the community.

Our line workers' dedication and skill make the difference to our customers and demonstrate Frankfort Plant Board at its best. We are grateful for their commitment to safety and our customers for the work they perform every day.

Water Service Interruption and Boil Water Advisory

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Water service has been interrupted on Springhill Road in order to repair a water main break. It is estimated to take two hours to complete the repairs. No fire hydrants are affected by the outage.

The Water Department of the Frankfort Plant Board advises to boil the water before drinking or using it for cooking. The advisory is in effect for the following area:

• 65 to 133 Springhill Rd

A vigorous boil for at least two minutes is recommended. This Boil Water Advisory is a precautionary measure due to a loss of pressure in the water main caused by Plant Board crews repairing a water main break.

This Advisory will remain in effect until lab analysis of water samples taken confirms that the potable water supply in the effected area is safe to drink. You will receive a notice when this advisory is lifted.

If you have any questions concerning the Boil Water Advisory, please call 352-4372.

Replacing the Reservoir: Single Tank Saves You Bank

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You may have read about the Frankfort Plant Board’s plans to replace the city’s existing reservoir tanks and resulting litigation involving FPB and the Frankfort City Commission. The disagreement hinges on FPB’s proposal to replace two 135-year old 4.6 million gallon tanks with one 7 million gallon tank. The City Commission prefers the more costly two 4.6 MG tank replacement option.

The City Commission and the FPB Board of Directors have met to explore solutions that would be agreeable to all and would address the aesthetic concerns of the Tanglewood Neighborhood Association (TNAi) while maintaining the Board’s fiduciary responsibility to ratepayers and meeting health and public safety obligations to all citizens.

The current reservoir tanks are significantly beyond their service life and at increasing risk of failure. The frequency of repairs has increased significantly over the last five years and is costly. The time to replace the reservoir is now.

The single tank at Tanglewood proposed by FPB is the most responsible option to all ratepayers, provides sufficient water capacity to meet the community’s needs for the next 40 years, and sets the foundation for the provision of water for generations to come.

Building two tanks now at the capacities that currently exist, as proposed by the City Commission, would require additional future storage elsewhere – not only costing more now but also costing significantly more later when needed. Suitable locations are limited. Options considered included Juniper Hills, behind Franklin Square and off Sower Blvd. All would cost significantly more (as much as $10 million at one of them) than building at the current reservoir site.

Water rates are determined by Water Department expenses. Funds for a new tank will come from rates paid by water customers, not subsidized by other FPB departments. One 7 MG tank costs $3 million less than two 4.6 MG tanks. Three million dollars could be better spent in the long run on much needed infrastructure for one of the oldest water distribution systems in the country.

Also, FPB’s proposed plan will not only improve the aesthetic view of the reservoir but will also restore a vital amenity and family venue to the community. Since the single tank proposal will only require a fraction of the footprint currently occupied, FPB envisions additional greenspace and landscaping which will enhance the welcoming sight to visitors entering Frankfort on Louisville Road, and improved amenities for the public to enjoy. This includes re-opening the clubhouse for community events.

At the request of the Tanglewood Neighborhood Association and the City Commission, improvements are already underway. FPB replaced the chain link fence with iron and brick decorative fencing and planted some new landscaping.

The Frankfort Plant Board is committed to bringing the Frankfort community the lowest utility rates possible while also ensuring that no extraordinary financial burden is placed on current and future citizens for unnecessary infrastructure.

FPB’s single tank plan considers costs and provides space for future capacity when the community needs it. It is the more responsible and strategic option to keep water rates at a minimum for customers both now and in the future.

We encourage all water customers who are concerned about how this project will affect their rates to visit the FPB website at https://fpb.cc/replacing-the-reservoir.

FPB committed to lowest cost option

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The Frankfort Plant Board (FPB) recognizes and appreciates the commitment of Roger Crittenden and the Tanglewood Neighborhood Association (TNAi) to the community in regards to the replacement of Frankfort’s 135-year old reservoir. While FPB respects the input and the concerns raised by TNAi, Crittenden’s letter to the editor (“Time for FPB to accept decisions on Tanglewood reservoir,” March 28) contains inaccuracies that are important to address.

Crittenden references the April 16, 2018 presentation to the former City Commission and states, “...the cost for one 7 million-gallon tank (FPB’s proposal) versus two 4.6 million-gallon tanks was the same.” The presentation given to the City Commission and TNAi in that meeting (https://bit.ly/2CMI3PB) notes the cost of TNAi’s preferred solution of two 4.6 MG tanks with a 1/16 dome roof as $6.8 million and the cost of the single 7 MG tank as $3.8 million. The TNAi solution was $3 million more expensive a year ago, and remains $3 million more expensive today.

The letter further states, “What the Plant Board needs is one 4.6 million-gallon tank to supply the needs of its customers now and in the future.” However, in their March 14, 2017 “Site Alternatives Evaluation” (https://bit.ly/2uA77VF), the engineers of Strand Associates recommended the construction of a single 7 MG tank to meet current needs. In that report they note, “...we concur with the FPB water staff recommendation to replace the existing reservoir with a single 7 MG tank to meet current daily and peak demands.”

The current reservoir is in dire need of replacement. The best solution economically, environmentally and aesthetically, which meets our community’s water needs, is the single 7 MG tank.

 This solution will not only meet our needs today, but will allow for economically accommodating any future needs for decades to come.

The FPB plan is $3 million less expensive, is 24 percent less volume, its footprint is significantly smaller (at least 22 percent) and is only nine feet taller at the apex of the dome than what TNAi is proposing.

A single 7 MG tank will return the majority of the site to green space, which will allow for the planting of additional trees and landscaping to obscure the view of the dome and improve the overall appearance of the site.

It is the statutory responsibility of the FPB to “make all determinations as to the operation, maintenance, improvement and extension of the electric and water plant.” (KRS 96.176(2)). FPB takes its duty to provide its customers safe, reliable, and economic services very seriously, which is why replacing the reservoir is of the utmost importance.

When making decisions, FPB must continue to think about what is best for all of its ratepayers. The FPB-approved replacement plan is the least-cost option and incorporates the concerns of the TNAi. It is time to take action to resolve any remaining issues and move forward with what is best for the entire community.

-The Board and Staff of Frankfort Plant Board