(11/6) Mandatory Phase-Two, water restrictions will remain in effect in Emmitsburg as a result of diminishing, existing on-hand water reserves; lack of sufficient rain to replenish existing water supplies; and an encroaching period of dry weather.

Town staff initially declared mandatory water-use restrictions at the October meeting, stating that the water supply was "not getting any better, and there's no significant rain in the future … We need long, soaking rains. We need a foot of snow that's going to melt slowly into the earth … things like that… to replenish." It was reported at the November meeting that status had not improved. Voluntary Phase-One had previously been declared at the July meeting.

Preceding the November meeting, Willets received several complaints that the town drinking water had begun to have a "fishy smell and taste to the water," apparently due to the continual fall of the water-level at Rainbow Lake, which serves as the town reservoir. The town manager said this was corrected by reducing the amount of water withdrawn from the lake.

Regarding past issues with the water pipelines, the commissioners unanimously approved awarding a $25,000 bid to have two studies executed, relative to applying for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding for pipelines repairs.

The bid was awarded to Annapolis-based McCrone, and the funding for the two studies will be provided by the USDA through a grant (of up to $30,000). The company will complete a preliminary engineering study and an environmental story.

Specifically, the studies will focus on the repairs and replacements needed for the waterlines beneath North Seton Avenue and Depaul Street. Problems in those waterlines was recently detected when the town was previously addressing a seemingly persistent brown-water issue with the drinking water.

The preliminary engineering report will consider all of the town’s water lines and water supply system, while the environmental study would apply to the North Seton and DePaul projects specifically.

Town Manager Willets stated that the company felt an environmental study may not actually be necessary, which would cut the cost of the work by $5,000.

The two studies are required by the USDA to be completed in advance of further consideration for additional funding that may be provided to the town to repair the pipeline issues. The

Willets said town staff had initially applied to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for funding to rectify the pipeline issues, but the application was denied.

Concerning the construction of a new sanitary sewage system pumping-station on Creamery Road, the commissioners voted to approve proceeding with funding that will facilitate the construction. The new facility will replace an "aging" existing one, located at the same site.

The new wastewater pumping station has been estimated to cost $3,657,000. CoBank will provide a loan to the town for up to up to $1,987,000.00. A loan offer from PNC was rejected. The difference will be raised through the issuance of municipal bonds.