Amador County – About 20 people attended a forum for all Amador Water Agency board of director candidates Monday, hosted by the Upcountry Community Council.

UCC Chairwoman Lynn Morgan introduced the format, which allowed 3-minute self introductions, then gave each candidate a random question. Morgan said questions were created by the unelected and highly informal Upcountry Community Council because as future board members, “everything you do does affect Upcountry.”

District 1 incumbent President Bill Condrashoff took the first question, which was to explain the Central Amador Water Project, and issues it faces. He said it was formed in the late 1970s to supply water from the Tiger Creek Reservoir to the Upcountry area, due to failing wells.

He said primary issues CAWP faces are the cost of water, and a capacity nearing maximum, with room for about 60 homes, while “hundreds of homes have been paying standby fees,” prior to hooking up. He said the Gravity Supply Line project was a major issue for CAWP as well.

District 1 Challenger Paul Molinelli Senior was asked his position on annexation to CAWP. He said a recent annexation on Suncatcher Lane had “much more debate than was absolutely necessary.” He said there was talk it might lead to seven other parcels.

Molinelli said if the water is there and it is a legitimate request, it is OK, and with a hook-up fee of $9,300 each, it would be good income for the agency. He said it would be $37,200 for the four parcels, which is four percent of what AWA owes the county for its $900,000 loan due December 31st.

District 4 challenger Robert Manassero was asked his opinion on consolidation, and giving all customers an equal rate. Manassero said it was something they should look at. He said there are 14 different budgets prepared at the agency, with each coming from a different “pocket system.”

He said getting a price that is fair for all customers may be difficult, but it could be helpful, especially in economic rough times. He also said he would support trying to lower costs of water in Plymouth, Pine Grove and Sutter Creek.

District 4 incumbent Vice President Debbie Dunn was asked how to solve the “insufficiency of fire hydrants” in the Upcountry. Dunn said: “That is somewhat an agency responsibility,” but it was more an issue that should have been handled by developers and state regulations in place at the time of development.

Dunn said the issue should go back to the county and supervisors, who could fund programs and get fire groups, or “the big fire conglomerate” to address the issue.

She said “when and if we have time, we will be doing something about” testing hydrants.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.