Since Calhoun County is too busy to answer a question, yet multiple questions, here are the answers.
- The ½ million gallon per year leak was most likely not addressed. The parts to rebuild the leaking pumps were ordered in 2025 but probably was not addressed. Nor was the pump motor ratchet strapped to the pipe in the pump house on Philips Run. They will claim that will be addressed when the new plant is completed. Which no one can tell you when that will be.
- The annual fire hydrant flushing that is required by law has probably not been started. Due to the lack of proper testing equipment to perform those tasks and continued staffing issues.
- The proper hydrant flushing equipment was probably not purchased due to a leak of knowledge of what is actually needed (since myself and both operators who completed that last year are not there anymore) and a lack of funds
- The broken hydrants that were identified last year and bagged were not addressed. (At least not the one at Millstone, Family Dollar, and Dollar General / Speedy Mart) Those hydrants have been in stock in Mt Zion since 2025. And again, a day maybe two to make the repairs at each hydrant.
- Were the proper bags to take a hydrant out of service purchased, (again required by WV law purchased). Probably not or they would be in place. Not the black trash bags I put on last year that are deteriorating and will blow away.
- The mowing. I will not name names, but the gentleman who mowed was relieved of that duty due to his relationship with a former board member. The PSD purchased weed wackers for the operators to utilize, but in my short time on the board I felt the operators had water operations to deal with, so I contacted the previous mower to take care of that in 2025. When I left, I am sure that relationship has been terminated again and this task is most likely behind.
- The new office address was confirmed so Thank You. (Even though I already knew where that site was because there were multiple trucks, trailers and equipment that were in disrepair when I surveyed that site last year. That equipment is most likely still in disrepair as well due to a lack of funds)
- I do not know who the current employees are full and or part time. The entire staff who was there during my time on the board has left.
- That brings me to the operator’s license. The last I heard a worker from Pleasant Hill had moved to Mt Zion, so they had an operator. Is his license valid? And who is the operator at Pleasant Hill since the rumor mill has told me their staff has quit and their secretary is now handling Pleasant Hill and Mt Zion. Is that allowed?
- The exterior of the water plant across from the park has been a disaster site since, well probably forever. Maybe the Commission can finish up the junkyard ordinance and site that facility as no5t being compliant. Or maybe they can work with the litter control officer to clean that area up.
- I am not sure if the new board member is signed up for board training in September. I also do not have his contact info, so again, if this could be passed on to him, that would be great.
- Has the meter at Arnoldsburg Elementary School been replaced? Probably not. That has been a known issue for some time and a simple fix.
- Has the hydrant at the Arnoldsburg Elementary School been replaced? I would say again, probably not. And no effort was probably put into investigating this issue.
- Has the water plant at Sand Ridge been secured? Again, probably not. And are the other sites secure? Or mowed?
Now here are some new ones to ask.
- What is the status of the equipment? Trucks, trailers, etc.
- Have all known violations water and sewer been addressed and mailed to the public as required?
- What happens when the Millstone PRV fails and over pressurizes half of the system? That PRV was an agenda item for years until a subcontractor and myself rebuilt it last year and verified it was functioning. But with moving parts, there is continuous maintenance that needs to completed. My assumption is no one has been in that pit since last year. And again, does the PSD have the proper equipment to enter a confined space? They did not last year even though it is in their rules and regs.
- Is the sewer plant up to snuff? I know it was being worked on but had multiple issues and seeing the inner workings of it, there probably is a violation or two. I know there were known safety concerns I brought up. Have any violations there been addressed and if so has that information been sent to the public as required?
- Have the hours worked outside of Mt Zion on the other systems been separated yet? When I was on the board, this was mentioned. Not fair to Mt Zion’s customers to have their workers on overtime assisting other water repairs while draining the Mt Zion funds with overtime rates. That should have been addressed years ago but was not when I left in 2025.
- Have any large 2” meters been pulled and calibrated as required? I will go out on a limb and say no because no one is certified to utilize the meter testing equipment in the garage.
- How many meters need to be replaced still? And how many radio reads are still not hooked up?
With a bit of research (about 10 minutes) I found that a PSC report from 2014 had Mt Zion listed as #353 out of 369 which is not good. Maybe that has changed? I do not need an answer for that one. Just some old facts. Some other old facts are this PSD has been under investigation since January of 2011 for records issues as well as things I am sure I missed. But it has been known and it does not seem to be a priority to anyone. Now everyone will focus on the power line issue in Calhoun which I am not for but will distract the public for a moment and forget the ongoing water and sewer issues will not go away. Jason will go away, but I am hopeful these letters will spark something in someone to stand up and ask questions. I have laid out plenty to get you started. If someone that claims to be in power (of what I do not know) could have answered some of my questions instead of being too good to answer questions, this probably would not have been brought to the public. But it has now. And will not go away. There is an ongoing management problem not just at the PSD. In the County. Team Calhoun has been divided which does not benefit anyone in Calhoun. I know some folks will not be happy with Jason, but the good lord wants me to operate on the basis of truth and not feelings. The good lord has sent me to Calhoun many years ago to enjoy what is his and spread the word. Spread the truth and question everything. So, I Thank Him everyday and continue to work for him. You can be upset at the truth, but that will not make it go away. If you are upset with me, then I guess you are upset with him as well. I pray that Calhoun wakes up and people get involved. Whomever would like to answer questions is free to do so. If no one answers anything, that is on you. Not me. I have worked with, worked on, asked the questions, and will continue to love Calhoun County and its residents. Stay well. Get something done today and stay strong. Have a great day.
Thank You
Jason Firestine
