New Market Utility District joins the Tennessee Risk Management Trust

Monday, December 14th, 2009 | Insurance Topics, TAUD | No Comments

We would like to welcome Troy Roach and New Market Utility District to the Tennessee Risk Management Trust. Located off of Hwy. 11E on the Southeastern side of Jefferson County, New Market Utility Districts serves over 1600 water customers system wide. Roach who serves as General Manager expressed interest in the Tennessee Risk Management Trust program after attending a Region 2 quarterly meeting held in Knoxville earlier in the year. During that scheduled meeting, Jason Baggett, Safety Coordinator for the  Tennessee Risk Management Trust and Kirk Smith of Next Generation Underwriters gave the attendees a power point presentation and marketing information about the Trust programs of Insurance and Benefits of Membership.

Troy Roach stated, we needed to reevaluated our safety program and it looks like we can really benefit from this opportunity. Roach indicated that the coverage’s exceeded his current program and felt the need to make a change. With a renewal date approaching, Next Generation Underwriters provided a competitive proposal and Troy Roach presented it to his Board of Commissioners. After reviewing our current policy, and the lack of service we were receiving, Roach recommended that the District make the change. We are extremely pleased to align ourselves with an Associate Member of TAUD. It means a lot to us for those companies who support TAUD’s efforts in providing much needed funding for our programs. We look forward to working with Next Generation Underwriters and the Tennessee Risk Management Trust.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Next Generation Underwriters and Safety Engineering Consultants address TAUD Members of Region 4

Monday, November 23rd, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Members of Region 4 located in the Counties of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Roane, Smith, Trousdale, Warren and White gathered in Crossville on November 19^th.  Vickie Houston serves as the Region Leader and Office Manager of Crab Orchard Utility District in Crossville. The meeting took place at the new Fairfield Glade Community Center on Stonehenge Dr.

With an attendance of over 81 members present, Executive Director of TAUD Bob Freudenthal opened the meeting with a welcome statement and  introduction of presenters. Bob also gave members an update on State Legislature activity and reported on the upcoming Legislative Rally that is very important for Utility Districts to attend in February. Please check the TAUD website for registration and information.

Due to a schedule commitment, the program was retooled to allow for Kirk Smith of Next Generation Underwriters and Chris Stites of Safety Engineering Consultants the opportunity to address the upcoming Safety CE Credit programs for 2010. Utility Districts will have 5 opportunities to obtain the free seminars with Region 4 options being; attending the meeting after the scheduled Region 2 meeting in Knoxville on June 2^nd.; or attending the meeting after the Region 10 session on May 26^th in Chattanooga. Evaluating the different Regions, we have tried to make the opportunities for every Utility District as easy as possible for them to obtain the CE Credit states Bob Freudenthal of TAUD. Next, Chris Stites of SEC gave a power point presentation on Behavioral Safety in the Workplace. Touching on the importance of looking out for your fellow co-worker and assisting in making smart decisions, Chris informed the group of our policy, We want everyone to return home safe after work from injury.

Next, the Staff of McGill Associates gave a presentation on the “Big Bears On the Horizon”. Federal laws that will impact the way Utility Districts do business in the future. Staff members from McGill Associates were Bill Keaton and Ben Simerl. Harold Corum was unable to attend due to illness.

Brain Holt of IPW gave a demonstration outside in his trailer for members looking at improving their pump systems. Mary Ann Brannan and Ken Jones of the Corps of Engineers discussed the issues with the cleanup at Watts Bar and its impact on the area. Steve Chappell of Central Services Association (CSA) gave members a report on some good positive news on the rates for electricity  from TVA would be less this upcoming winter than previous winters. Steve also handed out reports from CSA and their programs from Orbits and Utili-Link.

Next, John Hall of TAUD gave a report on the upcoming Training Center opportunities for Utility Districts. Will Taylor of TAUD gave a brief report on the Low Interest Loan program from TAUD and Wiley Bros. Aintree Capital.

Members also heard a report from Dan Martin of TAUD on Wastewater updates and regulations coming soon. Bruce Trotter of TAUD who joined the Association back in the spring of 2009, introduced himself as the new Circuit Rider for West and parts of Middle Tennessee. Bruce comes to TAUD from the Dickson Water Authority.

Representatives the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation were also on hand to answer questions. Tennessee 811 (TN811) were also in attendance. Rural Development (RDA) personal were on hand from the Knoxville office to answer questions concerning the loan programs made available to Utility members.

At the conclusion of the program, members enjoyed a terrific lunch at the Fairfield Glade Community Center sponsored by McGill Associates.

We wish to thank Vickie Houston of Crab Orchard Utility District, Gary McGill of McGill Associates and the Fairfield Glade Community Center for their hospitality in hosting this event.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Blackmon Training Center host TAUD Region 11 Quarterly Meeting

Friday, November 13th, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Nick Newman of Memphis Light, Gas and Water serves as the Region 11 Leader for Utility Districts located in Chester, Fayette, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Haywood, Madison, McNairy, Shelby and Tipton Counties of West Tennessee. The Region 11 meeting was held on November 10^th at the Joyce M. Blackmon Training Center on Raleigh LaGrange Road in North Memphis. The Training Center provides an excellent setting for employees of MLGW to continue their education for CE credits in all phases of Electricity, Gas and Water regulations. The Center is also open for the public to use in providing a place to host local business seminars or community functions.

Staff members for TAUD on hand were Larry Lewis and Dewayne Culpepper. Nick Newman opened the meeting by welcoming a crowd of over 40 attendees to the Blackmon Training Center. Next on the program was Kevin Brown of HD Supply. Kevin made a presentation on ‘Can You not Afford to have Automatic Meter Readers’ (AMR). The power point presentation provide information on the down time associated with Utility District personal reading and obtaining correct numbers on the meters manually.

Next on the program was Boots Summers of BAM2. Boots provided a program on the techniques of equipment calibration and Key Points on Lift Station Maintenance. Larry Lewis of TAUD gave attendees a report on upcoming meetings and training opportunities for CE Credit. Kirk Smith on Next Generation Underwriters gave members in attendance a report on the new Safety Training opportunities from Safety Engineering Consultants. This program will be made available at 4 different locations throughout the state and will count as 3 CE Credits for water operators. The training is free of charge and will take place at the Region 8 quarterly meeting on July 8^th. Please check the TAUD website for additional information.

Next, Bish Thomas of the Rural Development office gave a report on the Stimulus Money Programs and the low interest loan programs that Utility Districts can take advantage of. Members then heard a report from the Jackson Environmental Field Office. Dewayne Culpepper of TAUD gave members an update on Wastewater Guidelines.

Following the meeting, attendees enjoyed a lunch sponsored by HD Supply and BAM2.

We would like to thank Nick Newman of Memphis Gas, Light and Water for Hosting the event.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Region 5 Meeting gets retooled but, Members still receive a Quality Program

Friday, November 6th, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Region 5 Associate Leader Tom Faulk of West Wilson Utility District did a marvelous job of overcoming a program presenter who was unable to attend at very short notice. With an attendance figure of 34 TAUD Associate and Utility Districts members gathered at the West Wilson U.D. Board Room, Tom Faulk introduced Cale Fuller or Ferguson Enterprises. Cale spoke about the new stores that have opened in Middle Tennessee and addressed the options that Ferguson now has in place to provide products to Utility Districts. Up until now, the public has known that we service the commercial plumber and retail customers at our Showrooms and  Shops. Now we are expanding our products to service the very demanding needs of the public utilities. We have opened a new store in Cookeville that will expand its distribution of our HDPE line of pipe. Although these products will be available at any Ferguson location, the pipe will be shipped from Cookeville along with a line pumps we are starting to carry. Cale also gave a demonstration on the new fusible HDPE pipe machine that makes joining the length together with a very strong smooth finish.

Next, attendees heard updated reports from the Tennessee Department of Conservation on new guidelines involving water loss within a system. Also, TDEC spoke in length about the new Federal Regulations that will be coming on line pertaining to a national average or percentage water loss regulation. The Federal guideline looks to be starting at around 30% but could be dropped a few numbers as time goes along. Currently, California sets the standard that the Federal Regulatory Authority is very much in favor of. TDEC Officials area staying abreast of this and will be reporting the changes to TAUD  and Water Operators as soon as the guidelines are finalized.

Next, Members heard reports from Rural Development concerning the availability of their low interest loan program. TAUD staff members that were on hand included John Hall, Will Taylor and Larry Lewis. Larry gave a report on the upcoming Training opportunities and the new calendar of events for 2010. Kirk Smith of Next Generation Underwriters spoke about the new Safety Training Seminars designed to give water operators CE Credit that applies to their license. These special sessions will take place following the regular scheduled Region Meetings and will be placed in locations to allow for equal opportunities for utilities to attend. Please check the TAUD website for locations and dates.

John Hall of TAUD gave members an update on the upcoming Business Officials meeting that will take place in Nashville at the Radisson Hotel near Opryland in early December. 

Missing from the meeting was Sonny Griffin of G & C Enclosures. Sonny had to back out at the last minute due to health issues. Keep Sonny in your prayers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, members drove over to Bakers Café’ to enjoy a great meal and fellowship. The lunch was sponsored by Ferguson Enterprises of Nashville.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Region 6 Quarterly Meeting held at Tullahoma Utilities Board

Thursday, October 29th, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Members of the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts met on October 28^th in Tullahoma at the Tullahoma Utilities Board (TUB) for their final quarterly meeting for 2009. Kenneth Carr of Lewisburg Water & Wastewater serves as the Region Leader which covers the counties of Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Rutherford and Williamson in Middle Tennessee. A good crowd of around 40 members were in attendance for the meeting.

Staff members from TAUD on hand were: Bob Freudenthal, John Hall, Will Taylor, Bruce Trotter and Dewayne Culpepper. Scott Young of TUB opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees to Tullahoma and Kenneth Carr went over the program for the meeting. First up was Frank Lammers of the Mueller Company who gave a presentation on the new style check valves that in the final stages of development which will help reduce the water loss with Fire Hydrants. These valves are also being developed to help control the possibilities of someone trying to get into the water systems and dump unwanted chemicals into our drinking water.

Next, Matt Baachhuber of the Kupferle Foundry Company presented the demonstration of the automatic flush valves. Members had a chance to go outside and see the demonstration on a live Fire Hydrant in use.

Members then heard a report from Rural Development on their low interest loan programs available. Also, officials were on hand from TDEC to give a regulatory report update. Holly Austin of TN811 gave a report on the new laws that have gone in place regulating digging and locating utility lines.

Dewayne Culpepper of TAUD gave a brief report on Wastewater Updates. John Hall of TAUD gave a report on the upcoming Training Opportunities and Executive Director of TAUD Bob Freudenthal gave members a legislative report update on changes in the laws involving Utility District operations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, members enjoyed a lunch sponsored by Mueller Company and Kupferle Foundry Company.

We thank Kenneth Carr and Scott Young for their hospitability in hosting the Region 6 meeting at Tullahoma Utilities Board.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Associate Members host Annual TAUD Cookout in Murfreesboro

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

On October 20^th, Associate Members of the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts put together the Annual TAUD Staff cookout. This tradition was started a few years ago as a way to show the staff of TAUD how much the Associate Members appreciate their assistance in working with the membership and supporting the programs. This year Rick Kirby of Jordan, Jones & Goulding Inc. of Knoxville brought over his custom made cooker built on a trailer. Early in the day, Rick along some of his staff began cooking the Prime Rib and Drunk Chicken along with smoking up some thick bologna.

While Associate Members got things ready back in the training room of the TAUD complex, Board Members met up front for their quarterly. As the meeting concluded around 5:30, the staff along with the Board and Associates Members started lining up for a great meal. Executive Director Bob Freudenthal said grace and then the food was on.

The turnout for this year’s cookout was tremendous and we know that the staff appreciates the Associates making this happen. On hand from Next Generation Underwriters was Kirk Smith who help with meal prep and cleanup.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com

Region 7 Members Cull Quarterly Program

Monday, October 5th, 2009 | TAUD, Where we will be | No Comments

Members of the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts met in Waynesboro on October 1^st at Bradley’s Restaurant for their 3^rd quarterly meeting of the year. Annie Chiodo serves as the Region Leader and General Manager of Waynesboro Utilities. This region encompasses the areas of Lawrence, Lewis, Perry and Wayne Counties in Southwestern Middle Tennessee. While it is the smallest of the regions for a TAUD group of utilities, the meetings usually average around 25 to 30 attendees. This was not the case on October 1^st, with only 15 members in attendance to hear one of the most informative programs that we have presented said Chiodo.

Michael Walden of Windsor Technologies Inc. presented a power point presentation on Distribution System Vulnerability via the Fire Hydrant. This was a “Shock Factor” program designed to get utilities to study putting in safety controls on their existing hydrants and monitor the activity around them. This program should be shared in each of the 11 Regions throughout the State.

Next, Matt Schichtle of the Air-EVAC Life Team presented their program of Membership Benefits to encourage and promote the availability of Air Ambulance Service to rural Tennessee Counties. Also on the program was Rural Developments Doug Shelton who gave a report on the availability of the Low Interest Loan programs designed for Utility Districts. A brief reports was presented by the Columbia Environmental Field Office.

Region Leader Annie Chiodo could not put a finger on the reason for the low attendance but stated, members  of TAUD must take advantage of these wonderful educational opportunities when they are presented to them. We work extremely hard to provide good programs that will benefit all of our Utility Districts.

TAUD representative Larry Lewis gave a report on the upcoming Training Sessions coming up in Murfreesboro at the TAUD Training Center. Following the program, lunch was provided by Windsor Technologies and Michael Walden.

The next Region 7 Meeting will be scheduled in December.

Kirk Smith
Account Executive
Next Generation Underwriters
615.822.5454
ksmith@nguins.com