On this page . . .
— Chair's Message — Section Director's Message — Proposed Bylaws Changes — Best Tasting Water Contest — Long Island Water Conference — What is WARN? — Manufacturers & Associates Committee — Water for People Committee — The Role of Oxidants in Optimizing Filtration — Education Committee Activities — 2008 Tifft Symposium — Welcome New Members — Proposed Bylaws Changes — Western NY Water Works Conference — Koester Associates, Inc. to represent Aqua Smart — Masthead Chair's Message
Well, "I'm on the clubhouse turn heading for home" (as they say in Saratoga) in my year as your Section Chair. The Board of Governors recently had their winter meeting in mid-January to plan the Section's activities for 2008 and beyond, which promises to be very busy. The up-coming Spring Meeting is fast approaching and it looks to be bigger and better than ever. Thanks to the Program and Events Committees as they have done a superb job in planning for New York's Water Event!
Thinking about all of the activities the Section
is involved with, it is clear that it takes a lot of
volunteerism. The strength of our organization is
the many dedicated and hard working committee
members, Trustees and Officers all working with one
common goal . . . to keep the New York Section of the
AWWA
THE
authority on drinking water in New York State.
Providing a forum to exchange information and to help
educate our members is a cornerstone in this mission.
To be successful in our mission we must rely on new
members volunteering and becoming involved in section
activities. I appeal to all members to sit in on a
committee meeting . . . ANY committee
meeting . . . to see if it might be something that
interests you. Some committees are more active than
others, so I'm sure there is one that will suit your
interest level. If you would like
more information on how to get involved, click
here. Or call the Section office where you will be
put in touch with the right person.
In closing, when you see me at this year's Spring
meeting, say hello and tell me what you like about the
Section and what could be done to make it better for
you. All of the Board members (myself included)
discuss the "feedback" we have received and use those
comments to improve future meetings, events, programs
and the Section overall. See you this April in
Saratoga, and remember . . .  Page top
Section Director's Message
I am writing this Director's Report as I am returning from the Winter Board Meeting onboard United Airlines Flight No. 654. As this was my first Board meeting in the official role as the Director representing the members from New York State, I found this meeting very interesting and engaging. We confirmed a new Executive Director and Treasurer, elected a new President-Elect, four new Vice Presidents, a new Director-at-Large, and a new Service Provider Director-at-Large. We also approved the budget for 2008 and approved a multi-year dues plan. Our new Executive Director is Gary Zimmerman. Gary's background includes experience in the Fortune 500 world and most recently with the Arabian House Association. He is extremely energized about coming to AWWA and during his speech to the board, expressed that he is looking for an opportunity to make a positive change in the world. I personally welcomed Gary to the organization and invited him to join us at one of our meetings. His transition plan is being finalized and he will be joining us in the near future.
Our new Treasurer is Lee Roberts. Presently Lee is the Council Chair for the International Council. The term of the Treasurer is four years and Lee's confirmation was based on the election for that office which was held by the Executive Committee. Lee is from the Pennsylvania Section. Craig Woolard, the Director from the State of Alaska, and one of our Vice Presidents, was elected as our new President-Elect. Craig presently works for the Anchorage Board of Utilities. Craig is a well rounded gentleman who previously worked in the fields of contracting, consulting, and academia. Craig's personality is one that will help with the transition to a new Executive Director. Our new Vice Presidents come to you from the South Carolina, Pacific-Northwest, Puerto Rico, and New York Sections. Dee Bennett, Dean Fritske, and Juan Carlos Perez Bofill are Directors representing the first three Sections listed above respectively and I am very proud to represent the New York Section as your Director, and now as a Vice President representing all 60,000 members of the Association.
Our new Director-at-Large, Dan Duchniak comes to us from the Wisconsin Section and our new Service Provider Director-at-Large Joel Neulight comes to the Board from the Pennsylvania Section. Directors-at-Large have a unique position at they represent all members of the Association. All of the new officers and Directors will assume their new roles at the conclusion of ACE 2008 which is being held in Atlanta. The incoming President Mike Leonard, a life-time resident of the Atlanta area, personally invited all Association members to come to this years ACE. During the Treasurer's Report we approved the budget for 2008 which is approximately $32 million dollars. Our Association continues to remain strong based on a conservative budgeting process, and as a result our reserves are approaching the 50% mark, which is considered as the benchmark for strong not-for-profit organization such as ours. Finally, we all expressed our gratitude to our present Executive Director, Jack Hoffbuhr for his dedicated, unparalleled service to the Association and to the water industry as a whole. At a reception held for Jack we were able to wish him and his wife well in their retirement. For those of you who know Jack, you are probably aware of his story telling abilities. His report to the Board included a story that bridged nearly forty years of contact with the Hopi Indian Nation that nearly brought the room to tears. Our organization has been well served by Jack and he will be missed.
I hope to see you all at our Annual Meeting in Saratoga Springs and at ACE 2008 in Atlanta. Page top
Proposed Bylaws ChangesDennis M. Kelleher, PE Over the past few months, the Board of Trustees have been working on minor revisions to the Bylaws of the New York Section AWWA. At the January 16, 2008 meeting, the Board approved the revisions. A copy of the revised Bylaws is enclosed in this issue of Aquarius. Acceptance of the revised Bylaws shall be voted upon by the members at the Spring Business Meeting in Saratoga Springs. If approved by the general membership, the revised Bylaws will be submitted to AWWA Board of Directors in Denver for their comments and/or approval. The revisions to the Bylaws included simple changes to better reflect how the Section currently operates and changes to reflect the timing/dates for nomination and election of Trustees, Trustees at Large and Director. Should you have any questions concerning the revisions to the Bylaws, please contact Dennis Kelleher, Marian Potter or any Section Board member.
Click for full mark-up copy of bylaws:
Microsoft Word format
—
.PDF format
Full mark-up copy of the by-laws is also
available upon request from the Section Office by calling 315-455-2614 x3, or
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Best Tasting Water ContestManoj Ajmera, Contest Coordinator
It's time to start thinking about taking part in the 22nd annual statewide "Best Tasting Drinking Water Contest"! Water suppliers are encouraged to take part as the event is great fun, and provides the opportunity for recognition of their efforts. As most of you know, the first round of tasting is conducted at the county level with local Health Departments, Chambers of Commerce or local water works conferences taking the lead to coordinate and conduct the event. Ideally, the first round is held during National Drinking Water Week (first full week of May), however several counties schedule the contest when they have a special event such as a county fair or other community event. The first round is to be completed no later than the first week of July.
Information on coordinating the event is available
on the NYSAWWA website, or
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Long Island Water ConferenceDennis M. Kelleher, PE
On December 14, 2007, the Long Island Water Conference held its Annual Installation Dinner for the incoming officers, including Chairman Ken Claus — Inc. Village of Freeport, 1st Vice Chairman Joe Pokorny — Suffolk County Water Authority, 2nd Vice Chairman Richard Tobin — Massapequa Water District, Secretary Karl Schweitzer — Hicksville Water District, Treasurer Larry Smith — Pollard and Corresponding Secretary Susan Jannace — H2M Group.
The LIWC Education Workshop seminars for 2008
include:
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What is WARN?Connie Schreppel, WARN Chair
A Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is a network of utilities helping other utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies. The purpose of a WARN is to provide a method whereby water/ wastewater utilities that have sustained or anticipate damages from natural or human-caused incidents can provide and receive emergency aid and assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services as necessary from other water/ wastewater utilities. The objective is to provide rapid, short-term deployment of emergency services to restore the critical operations of the affected utility.
The backbone of the WARN concept is the Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement. It is in the Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement where provisions for network activation, reimbursement, liability and other issues are mutually agreed upon by participating utilities. Participation is voluntary; there is no obligation to respond, and there is no direct cost to become a member of the network. The WARN framework provides a forum for establishing and maintaining emergency contacts, providing expedited access to specialized resources needed to respond to and recovery from emergencies that disrupt water/wastewater utilities, and facilitating training that specifically focuses on the exchange of resources during an emergency. Events such as 9/11, the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the 1997 Red River flood, and more recently Hurricanes Katrina and Rita identified a need for water and wastewater utilities to create intrastate mutual aid and assistance programs because:
Representatives from the New York Section AWWA attended a workshop jointly sponsored by AWWA and EPA in March of 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. Following that meeting a NY steering committee was formed and a mutual aid agreement for New York State was finalized in October 2007. The concept was introduced at the Tifft Symposium in November 2007 with considerable interest and support. Water and wastewater systems have begun to sign the agreement and the NY WARN is well on its way to becoming a functional tool for the water and wastewater industry. New York's Water Event in Saratoga April 22-24, 2008 will spotlight the WARN Program as we welcome Mike Howe from the Texas Section AWWA and TxWARN as our keynote speaker. WARN information and programs will also be presented in Session 5 on Wednesday April 23rd. Page top
Manufacturers & Associates CommitteeDan Reed, MAC Chair
The MAC Committee represents the many suppliers, vendors, and engineering firms that offer equipment and services to the water works industry in New York State. Over the years, these organizations have found the NYSAWWA Spring Meeting a valuable tool to market and introduce new products to industry professionals. The MAC Committee is an "open forum" comprised of companies and organizations that are interested in the water works profession. Over the past several years, the MAC Committee has strived to make the Spring Meeting a worthwhile, cost effective way to introduce new products. The Spring Meeting also helps participants get their company's name in front of potential buyers. "Operator's Day" was introduced during the spring meeting a few years ago. The NYSAWWA Board of Director's opened their doors (free of charge) to any water or wastewater operator who was willing to make the trip to Saratoga NY, and get a free day of educational information, view new products, and meet people in the same industry.
Operator's Day has proven to be a very valuable gesture by the Board of Directors. Its goal is to urge people into the exhibit hall to ensure that the manufacturers get what they are paying for in the cost to exhibit. The MAC Committee would like to thank the Board for their investment, and would encourage the section to continue this venue in the future. The MAC Committee would like to challenge all of the exhibitors and young professionals to come up with new ideas to help make the Spring Meeting more vibrant and exciting. It is especially important to bring in new ideas to keep improving the section's ideals, the whole atmosphere of the NYSAWWA and its goals and objectives.
If you have any ideas to improve the section's meetings,
please feel free to contact me at 315-247-9582, or
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Water for People Committee2007 was a year of growth for Water for People, both locally in New York and around the world. During this past year the Water for People Committees in New York and New York City held many fundraising events that supplied much needed funds for water and sanitation projects in our adopted country of Bolivia.
In his book Tapped Out, the late Senator Paul Simon described the plight of Bolivia. Bolivia in South America has adequate supplies of water but is one of the poorest nations in Latin America and has that region's lowest percentage of population served by piped water or a sewer system. Not surprisingly, Bolivia has a high rate of infant mortality, 75 per 1000 births, and intestinal diseases are the second-leading cause of death in every age group. More than three-fourths of the people of Bolivia do not have piped water, and with more than 70% of the population living below the poverty line, the future for Bolivian citizens, particularly children, will remain bleak without assistance from other nations." (Piped water is defined as water brought from a remote location to central location, not piped directly to a home or business.) In order to help alleviate the crisis in Bolivia, our committee is extending our efforts to raise awareness and generate much needed funds in 2008. In order to reach a goal of doubling our contributions to Water for People we need new committee members to work as sub-committee chair people and/or regular committee volunteers in the following areas:
There are many challenges ahead for the Water for People organization. Our New York Section Committee is now organized to allocate work and responsibilities to anyone who is willing to put forth some time and effort to help a worthy cause. In order to continue the work, we are looking for people and organizations that want to participate to make our Committee a leader among AWWA Sections.
To get involved, please contact Marty Mazzella at
mmazzell@nycap.rr.com,
or call 518-698-3168 or
518-280-2562. Look for further announcements
about organizational webcasts to be conducted later
in March.
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The Role of Oxidants in Optimizing Filtration
By:
IntroductionUtilities throughout the world are striving to optimize filtration in order to reduce the passage of pathogens such as Cryptosporidium oocysts by minimizing filtrate turbidity and particle counts. In addition, due to concerns over disinfection byproducts, many utilities are reducing or eliminating pre and/ or intermediate disinfection. The results of this research project have shown that the two processes are related. That is, the application of a disinfectant/ oxidant prior to filtration can impact the removal of particles in granular media filters. The purpose of this paper is to present results from an ongoing AWWARF project titled "The Use of Oxidants to Minimize the Passage of Pathogenic Particles Through Granular Media Filters - Mechanisms and Development of Design and Operating Criteria." The overall goal of this project is to develop a better understanding of the effect of oxidants on particle removal in granular media filters. The specific objectives are fourfold:
Several studies, including observations in full- scale water treatment plants, have shown that the application of oxidants can have positive effects on particle removal by coagulation/sedimentation/ filtration processes (1-8). This paper focuses on results from the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) Shoremont Pilot Plant located in Rochester, New York (United States). The pilot plant was operated from June - August 2001. The effect of oxidation on filtered water quality was examined using all four oxidants. Similar results (not shown) were obtained at the Philadelphia Water Department's Baxter and Belmont Pilot Plants located on the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, respectively, and at the Patuxent Pilot Plant located on a protected, high quality reservoir near Washington D.C.
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. A description of the methods used and raw water quality is presented next. This is followed by the results section, which is divided into separate subsections (one for each oxidant). Conclusions and recommendations are presented in the last section. MethodsA direct filtration pilot scale apparatus was used to conduct the filtration experiments (see Figure 1). Raw water entered the pilot plant and was split into two treatment trains. One train consisted of disinfectant addition followed by coagulant addition prior to an in- line static mixer. The chemically treated water then flowed to a dual media filter containing 75 cm of GAC over 30 cm of sand. The other treatment train was identical except that it contained an ozone contact chamber (which could be bypassed). The filter columns were 20-cm ID clear PVC columns. The raw water line and each filter were equipped with online Hach 1720 C turbidimeters and Met-One PCX particle counters. The data from the on-line instruments were logged directly to the Shoremont SCADA system. All experiments were conducted using alum as the primary coagulant and a low molecular weight cationic polymer as a coagulant aid. The filtration rate for all experiments was 10 m/hr. The raw water source for the pilot plant is Lake Ontario (one of the Great Lakes). Lake Ontario is an excellent source of supply that can be characterized as a low turbidity, low TOC, moderately alkaline source. During the testing period the raw water turbidity ranged from less than 2 to 5 NTU; the alkalinity ranged from 80 - 125 mg/L as CaCO3; the pH was slightly basic - 7.8 to 8.2; and the TOC ranged from 2 to 3 mg/L.
Conclusions and RecommendationsThe following conclusions are based on the results of this study.
The following recommendation is based on the results of this study:
AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to acknowledge the financial assistance from the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, Project Number 2725 and the contributions of the Monroe County Water Authority. Special thanks go to Thomas F. Clark, James Nugent, Paul Maier and Jonathon Kruger who oversaw or operated the pilot plant. References can be requested from the authors. Page top
Education Committee ActivitiesChristine Vooris, Education Committee Chair
How's that for succession planning?! As some of you know, Teresa Boepple has completed her three-year term as Education Committee Chair and has passed the baton on to me, Christine Vooris. Teresa introduced me to NYSAWWA Section and the Education Committee in 2004 when I first began working for the NYS Department of Health. This is also the year that she assumed the role of Committee Chair. The committee accomplished a great deal during her term and experienced a 40% increase in membership. Let's continue the trend! I am honored to have been selected as Chair of the Education Committee and look forward to working with the wonderful volunteers on the committee and recruiting new ones.
I have provided some information on the responsibilities of the Education Committee below as a primer for potential recruits and a refresher for our seasoned volunteers. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for April 22, 2008, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, at the Saratoga Hotel & Conference Center in Saratoga, New York. Hope to see you there! New York Section AWWA Education Committee Responsibilities
GeneralCoordinate the Section's educational programs, including: Webcasts, Tifft Symposium, Training program, and Educational Expo. Committee MembershipOpen to any AWWA member from the New York Section. Committee MeetingsCommittee meets in person during New York's Water Event and Tifft Symposium. Each subcommittee may meet separately, in person or via conference call. At least two other meetings per year are scheduled via conference call or web-conferencing.
Positions on Committee
Time Involved for Each Position
Chair: 15 - 20 hr/mo Webcasts
Tifft Symposium
Training Program
The Education Committee is looking for eager individuals that are interested in promoting, developing and implementing training and educational programs that are offered to New York State's elite water professionals.
If you are interested in joining the Education Committee or would like more information regarding committee activities, please feel free to contact Christine Vooris, by e-mail, at cnv01@health.state.ny.us. Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting!!! The Education Committee has planned 34 training seminars as well as 12 basic lab workshops at various locations during the calendar year for 2008.
Please note that these seminars have been approved
for contact hours for Water Operators (New York State
Department of Health), Wastewater Operators (New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation)
and Professional Engineers (Professional Institute of
Engineering/PIE). Page top
2008 Tifft Symposium
CALL FOR PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
The New York Section American Water Works Association
is seeking speakers for the 2008 Water Supply
Symposium to be held November 19-20, 2008, in
Syracuse, New York. The technical program will be
developed from abstracts covering all areas of water
supply. Topics of interest include:
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Welcome New Members
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Proposed Bylaws Changes
Vote on Proposed Bylaws during ARTICLE I - NAMEThe name of this organization shall be the NEW YORK SECTION OF THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as the "Section." The American Water Works Association shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Association."
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the Section are to promote public health, safety, and welfare through the improvements in the quality and quantity of water delivered to the public and the development and furtherance of understanding of the problems relating thereto as noted in the Association Articles of Incorporation. ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIPThe membership of the Section shall consist of all the members of the Association residing in or having principal business in New York and those assigned to the Section by the Executive Director of the Association. The boundaries of the Section shall be the boundaries of the State of New York. ARTICLE IV - HEADQUARTERSThe headquarters of the Section office shall be located as designated by the Board. ARTICLE V -BOARD AND OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the Section shall consist of: a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. Both the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall be appropriately bonded. Section 2. The voting members of the Board are: Chair, Vice-Chair, First-Year Trustee, Second-Year Trustee, Third-Year Trustee, First-Year Trustee-at- Large, Second-Year Trustee-at-Large, Third-Year Trustee-at-Large, Section Director to the Association, immediate or most recent living Past-Chair, and Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer is a non-voting member of the Board, and the Executive Director of the Section shall serve as the Secretary and is a non- voting member of the Board.
Section 3. The term of office for each member of the Board shall be as follows: a) The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Section shall serve for one (1) year from the close of one Annual Meeting to the close of the next Annual Meeting. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected annually by the Board from the Trustees as provided hereinafter. b) The Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer shall be selected annually by the Governing Board and shall serve a one-year term and be eligible for reappointment. Neither may participate in the selection process. Neither the Treasurer nor the Assistant Treasurer may be a Trustee. c) The Director shall hold office on the Board during his/her term of office as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association. Section 4. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a minimum of one (1) officer and five (5) other voting members of the Board.
Section 5. The Board of the Section shall execute its business in accordance with the Bylaws and regulations of the Section and the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Governing Documents of the Association. Section 6. All conferences, Section business meetings, and meetings of the Board shall be conducted according to the latest edition of "Robert's Rules of Order." Except as provided otherwise in these Bylaws, all questions before the Board or the Section business meeting shall be decided by majority vote. No member or officer may have more than one vote. Section 7. The term of each of the Officers shall be from the close of one annual meeting to the close of the next annual meeting, which is approximately one year, or until a successor is chosen, except in the case of the Section Director, whose term shall be as provided for by the Bylaws of the Association. Section 8. Any member of the Section, except a multi-section member, shall be eligible to vote and hold elective or appointed office in the Section. Section 9. An Executive Committee shall be established by the Board. This committee shall consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer and Executive Director. The committee shall have power to act for the Board between the Board Meetings, subject to the Board's instructions, but cannot modify any action taken by the Board. The Executive Committee shall report all activities to the Board at the next Board Meeting.
Section 10. The Board has the right to hire an Executive Director for the Section, who will be a non-voting member of the Board and Executive Committee, and shall hold the position and therefore all responsibilities of Secretary of the Section. The Executive Director shall have his/her office at the Headquarters. The Executive Director shall serve the Section at the direction of the Board, including preparing financial reports for the Board and developing the annual budget proposal with input from the incoming Chair. The Executive Director shall record the minutes of all Board meetings and Executive Committee meetings, and maintain the records of the Section. ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1. The duties of the Chair shall be to supervise and coordinate all of the affairs of the Section. So far as possible, the Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Section and of the Board. The Chair shall appoint all committee chairs of the Section. Section 2. The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the latter's absence, together with such other regular duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Chair or by the Board.
Section 3. The Chair of the Section shall be the Chair of the Board. Section 4. The Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer shall attempt to attend all meetings of the Section and of the Board. The Treasurer shall oversee that all monies due the Section are collected and promptly deposited by the Executive Director in a depository which has been approved by the Board. They shall perform all of the duties required of them by the Governing Documents of the Association. They shall perform such other duties as the Board may direct. Section 5. The Section Director, representing the Section on the Board of Directors of the Association, shall represent each Board in the deliberations of the other and shall act to coordinate and unify their actions. The Section Director shall make a report at the Annual Meeting of the Section of the activities of the Association.
ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD
Section 1. Meetings of the Board of the Section may be called by the Chair on his/her own initiative, or at the request of any other member of the Board. There shall be one meeting of the Board during the Annual Meeting of the Section. There shall also be at least one other meeting of the Board no later than sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Section. This meeting shall not be held prior to January of the calendar year in which a new fiscal year starts. Section 2. The Board shall have general supervision over all of the affairs of the Section and shall be its legal representative in all matters except as this duty may be specifically delegated. The Board shall prepare, as needed, and enforce for the conduct of the business of the Section, regulations not in conflict with these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Governing Documents of the Association, and shall amend the Section Bylaws as required. Section 3. Board members will disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and adhere to a Conflict of Interest Policy on an annual basis. ARTICLE VIII - ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
Section 1. Each Trustee shall be elected to serve a term of six (6) years. A Trustee may be eligible to serve another six (6)--year term following at least one (1) full year off the Board. Each Trustee-at-Large shall be elected to serve a term of three (3) years. A Trustee-at-Large may be eligible to serve additional three-year terms, but no more than two (2) three-year terms may be served in succession.
Section 2. Each year, by June 30, the Chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee for Trustee and Trustee-at-Large, consisting of the five (5) Past-Chairs of the Section. Any vacancy which may occur in the Nominating Committee shall be filled by an appointee of the Board. This committee shall place in nomination and return its selections to the Chair not later than November 1: a) one (1) or more eligible candidates for the office of Trustee to be filled that year, and b) one (1) or more eligible candidates for the office of Trustee-at-Large to be filled that year. Candidate(s) for the office of Trustee and Trustee-at- Large may also be placed in nomination by receipt by the Executive Director of a petition for the nomination signed by not less than twenty (20) active members. Such petition(s) shall be received no later than January 1, and the Chair shall be notified promptly. If there is more than one (1) candidate for the office of Trustee and/or more than one (1) candidate for Trustee-at-Large, a ballot shall be distributed to the Section Membership. The Executive Director shall deliver the ballots to the Chair of the Board who shall announce the results of the vote at a previously announced business session of the Annual Meeting. The election winner shall be based on a majority of the votes cast. If there is only one (1) nomination for Trustee received by the Chair by January 1, the Chair shall be instructed to cast one (1) ballot for the nominee and announce the new Trustee at the business session of the Annual Meeting. The newly elected Trustee shall take office at the close of the Annual Meeting of the Section.
If there is only one (1) nomination for Trustee-at-Large received by the Chair by January 1, the Chair shall be instructed to cast one (1) ballot for the nominee and announce the new Trustee-at-Large at the business session of the Annual Meeting. The newly elected Trustee-at-Large shall take office at the close of the Annual Meeting of the Section. Section 3. Every third year, or as directed by the needs of the Section to elect a Section Director to the Board of Directors of the Association, the Chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee for Section Director to represent the Section on the Association Board. An eligible candidate for Section Director shall have completed the term as Chair of the Section and be a member of the Section. This Committee shall be appointed one year prior to the year in which the next Section Director would take office, and it shall be composed of the current Section Director and two (2) immediate Past Section Directors. Any vacancy which may occur in the Nominating Committee for Section Director shall be filled by an appointee of the Board.
This Committee shall place in nomination at least one (1) such eligible candidate for the office of Section Director to be filled that year. The Committee shall return its selection to the Chair not later than July 1 of that year. A candidate for the office of Section Director may also be placed in nomination by receipt by the Executive Director of a petition for the nomination signed by not less than twenty (20) active members. Such petition shall be received no later than September 1, and the Chair shall be notified promptly. If there is more than one candidate for the office of Section Director, a ballot shall be distributed to the Section Membership. The Executive Director shall deliver the ballots to the Chair of the Board who shall announce the results of the vote by November 1. The newly elected Section Director shall take office as prescribed by the Bylaws of the Association.
If there is only one (1) nomination for the office of Section Director received by the Chair by January 1, the Chair shall be instructed to cast one (1) ballot for the nominee and announce the new Section Director at the business session of the Annual Meeting. The newly elected Section Director shall take office as prescribed by the Bylaws of the Association. Section 4. Distribution, collection, and counting of ballots for elections shall take place as designated by the Board. Section 5. The elected members of the Board shall select a Chair and Vice-Chair from the five Trustees in order of their election as Trustee. The term of office for these officers shall be from the close of one Annual Meeting to the close of the next. The selection of these officers and the appointment of the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer for an ensuing fiscal year shall be made at the meeting of the Board, at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Section, but the selection must be made in the same calendar year in which these officers are to take office. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall be limited to a six (6)-year term of service.
Section 6. If the Chair position becomes vacant, the current Vice-Chair will ascend to the Chair position. If the Vice-Chair position becomes vacant, the Third- Year Trustee will ascend to Vice-Chair. In the case of any other vacancy, a successor to serve the remainder of the term left vacant shall be appointed by the Board as prescribed in policy established by the Board. Section 7. Following succession of current board members according to the policy established by the Board (Article VIII, Section6), the remaining vacant position shall be filled as follows: members of the Board may, at their discretion, select a qualified member of the Section or nominate two (2) or more qualified members to be voted on by Section membership. The member selected to fill this remaining vacant position will enter the Board with first-year status and serve the appropriate term. Section 8. Any Board member may be removed, with or without cause, by two-thirds majority vote of the full Board, excluding the member in question. ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS, POLICIES, AND COMMITTEES
Section 1. The times and places of all meetings of the Section shall be fixed by the Board, in accordance with the Bylaws or by a committee appointed by them subject to the other provisions of this Article.
Section 2. The Section shall hold at least one general meeting in each calendar year between April 1 and May 15. This meeting shall be designated as the Annual Meeting, at which time the Board shall also meet. The Board shall also meet at all Section Meetings other than the Annual Meeting. Other meetings of the Board may be held as provided for in these Bylaws. The Section itself shall hold at least one business session a year to conduct business related to elections and conduct other business as may be necessary. This business session shall be held during the Annual Meeting. Section 3. It shall be a fixed policy of this Section to endeavor to cooperate with other sections of the Association to the end that the convenience of all members of the Association may be suited as far as possible. To this end, there shall be effort to prevent the conflict of meeting dates with those of other sections' meetings, and the holding of joint meetings with adjoining sections shall be encouraged. Section 4. Standing Committees shall be Program Committee, Membership Committee, John M. Diven Award Committee, and George Warren Fuller Award Committee. Members of the last two named committees shall be chosen from previous awardees in accordance with a procedure established by the Board.
Section 5. The Chair of the Section shall appoint new committee chairs as vacancies occur or as otherwise necessary, according to policies set by the Board. ARTICLE X - FINANCES
Section 1. A proposed annual budget shall be prepared and submitted to the Board by the Executive Director and incoming Chair prior to the Board meeting held during the Annual Meeting. Each year, the Board shall approve and implement a budget of estimated income and planned expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Section 2. Dues shall be assessed against members as required for membership in AWWA. The section may, in accordance with the procedures defined in the Governing Documents and established guidelines of AWWA, apply for permission to levy a section dues assessment. The section assessment would be levied annually at the time of membership renewal, and the revenue collected would be used to increase the funds available for section uses consistent with AWWA objectives and policies. Once approved, changes in a section assessment can be authorized by a vote of the Board of the Section. Section 3. The Section reserves the right to collect fees for Section activities and events, as appropriate. Such fees will be established in accordance with these Bylaws, the policies and procedures of the Section, and the Governing Documents and Bylaws of the Association.
Section 4. All Section finances shall be managed in accord with these Bylaws, the Section's policies and procedures, the Bylaws and Governing Documents of the Association, and all applicable financial rules and regulations of the country and province or state in which the Section operates. The Section shall conduct, at the direction of its Board, an independent audit of all Section finances. The audit shall be conducted by a qualified financial advisor who is neither an employee of the Section nor member of the Section's Board. Section 5. The accounts of the Section shall be audited each year or as legally required, by an independent Certified Public Accountant who is not a member or employee of the Section. ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposals for the amendment or revision of these Section Bylaws may originate by a unanimous vote of the Board or they may originate by the submission to the Executive Director of a written petition signed by at least twenty (20) members of the Section. Upon an amendment being proposed in either of these two manners, the Executive Director shall furnish each member a copy of the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment shall then be voted upon by the members at the next business session of the Section by "Viva Voce" or ballot, or at the discretion of the Board be voted upon by ballot, provided, however, all members shall have at least thirty (30) days in which to consider the proposed amendment prior to a vote upon it.
Section 2. Upon favorable action having been taken as to an amendment in the foregoing manner, the Executive Director of the Section shall then submit same to the Executive Director of the Association for approval or disapproval by the Association's Board of Directors. Upon notification that the amendment has been approved by the Board of Directors, it shall thereupon become effective. ARTICLE XII - DISSOLUTION
Section 1. In case of dissolution of the Section, such portions of the funds or property thereof in the hands of the Treasurer as may have been derived from the general funds of the Association shall be returned to the Association. Section 2. The balance of the Section funds or property shall be disposed of by transfer and distribution to any one or more corporations, funds, or foundations with like purposes or goals that is organized and operated in an area included in the AWWA Section, hereinafter referred to as the "receiving organization." Section 3. The following shall be characteristic of the receiving organization:
The receiving organization would then qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.
Section 4. Any such receiving organizations(s) shall be selected by vote of the majority of the members of the Section at a meeting called for this purpose. If for any reasons such disposition cannot be effected, then such funds shall be so distributed pursuant to the order, judgment, or decree of a court having jurisdiction over the assets and property of the Section. Page top
Western NY Water Works ConferenceCharles Gonzalez, Chair of the WNYWWC
On February 6, 2008 the Western New York Water Works Conference (WNYWWC) held its annual winter workshop. The event was sponsored by Chatfield Engineers, with over 180 members attending the workshop. Two concurrent training sessions were presented offering operators the chance to obtain up to 5 CEUs. The highlight of the day was the "Meter Madness" competition. Four people were competing for the right to represent the WNYWWC at the Spring Meeting of the New York Section AWWA. Michael F. Macri, representing the Niagara Falls Water Board, was the winner with a time of 1:56. Second place went to last year's winner Steve McTarnaghan, from the Village of Geneseo, with a time of 2:08. The third place finisher was John Paul, also from the Niagara Falls Water Board and fourth place went to Kirk Vanderbilt of the Village of Avon. For his victory, Mike earned an all expense trip to the state "Meter Madness" competition to be held in Saratoga Springs on April 23, 2008 paid for by the Western New York Water Works Conference. Steve was awarded the second prize of $50.00. If Mike can win at the state competition he would win a trip to Atlanta to compete in the national finals.
The WNYWWC also awarded 6 scholarships to members to attend a Grade D license class anytime during 2008. The winners were:
Congratulations to all of our 2008 winners. Page top
Koester Associates, Inc. to represent Aqua SmartStephanie Tanner and Tommie Locke
Koester Associates, Inc. has announced that they will be adding the Atlanta-based company Aqua Smart, Inc. to the family of companies they represent. Aqua Smart is the exclusive manufacturer of SeaQuest, a "safe, non-toxic, granular blend of N.S.F. certified complex inorganic phosphates." Offered in both powdered and liquid form, SeaQuest works to suspend and inactivate minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and silica. By inactivating these minerals, SeaQuest eliminates red and black water, prevents scale build-up, and softens the water. Over a period of time, SeaQuest removes existing scale and corrosion present in pipes, valves, and equipment. SeaQuest also acts as a coating agent, adhering to the interior surfaces of metal lines and equipment with a mono-molecular non-building protective film, which helps to eliminate further corrosion. By treating water supplies with SeaQuest, fixture and clothing staining is eliminated, house cleaning time is decreased, hot water tank life is increased, and water meter malfunction and failure are minimized. Municipalities throughout New York are using SeaQuest successfully. Jerry Barron of Holland Water District #1 and Village of Cato Water Superintendent Barry Walters both have found SeaQuest to be a solution to their water issues. "The results after the first year were surprising," Barron said. "We were able to reduce line and hydrant flushing from four times a year to one. Customer complaints dropped dramatically, and as a bonus, chlorine residuals in the ends of the system increased and became more stable. For the amount of set-up time, cost, and labor, I believe this was the most cost-effective solution to solve our water quality problem," said Barron. Walters has seen a similar level of success since adding SeaQuest. "Chlorine residuals at the farthest points in the system are higher, and the water complaints have been reduced to less than 10 per year." For Walters, adding SeaQuest has made all the difference in Cato's water system. "SeaQuest has made my water much easier to maintain- less flushing and a lot less complaints." Page top
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