PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
BPA FUTURE … Bryan Board of Public Affairs Chairman, Annette Schreiner (middle), speaks about the proposed charter amendment to abolish the BPA at its Tuesday, September 30 meeting with board members Jim Salsbury (far left), Bob Eyre (second left), and director of utilities, Derek Schultz (right), looking on.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Three Bryan Municipal Utilities employees were honored for their outstanding efforts during the Tuesday, September 30, meeting of the Bryan Board of Public Affairs.
Board chairman Annette Schreiner called the meeting to order with Bob Eyre, Dick Long, Jim Salsbury, and Karen Ford in attendance before the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Director of Utilities Derek Schultz recognized the recent accomplishments of three Bryan Municipal Utilities employees who were honored by American Electric Power at its annual meeting.
Noah Landel and Richard Baer were honored with the AMP Hard Hat Safety Award, which recognizes utility employees who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to safety, both on the job and within the community over the past year.
Also honored was Adam Brandt, who was awarded the AMP Service Distinction Award in recognition of nearly 30 years of outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to BMU and the greater Public Power community.
“Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in nearly every major infrastructure project, including system conversions, substation builds, transmission upgrades, and many more projects,” lauded Schultz.
“Adam (Brandt) is known for his unwavering commitment to safety, mentorship, and team development, earning deep respect from his peers and crew.”
Since 2013, Brandt has also served as the Red Sector Coordinator for the AMP Mutual Aid program, organizing crews and equipment to support disaster recovery across multiple states. His dedication, leadership, and service are a true example of what the award represents.
“These awards all showcase BMU’s commitment to excellence and the strength of our team,” pointed out Schultz.
BMU was then recognized for its outstanding mutual aid response to critical events in Montpelier, the OMEGA JV4 transmission line, Lansing, Michigan, Lakeland, Florida, Newberry, South Carolina, and Tallahassee, Florida.
In addition, BMU was awarded the AMP Generation Safety Award, which recognizes municipal electric systems for outstanding performance.
“This award encourages continued improvement of safety programs and acknowledges the BMU team’s commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
BMU also received the AMP System Improvement Award for the power plant substation upgrade project, which recognizes utilities that have made significant enhancements to electric service reliability for their customer-owners.
An emergency resolution authorized by Schultz was approved to appoint Teresa Grigsby of Spengler Nathanson LLC of Bowling Green to serve as outside legal counsel to represent the Bryan Board of Public Affairs at $250 per hour as needed.
Grigsby will be representing the BPA in its legal fight concerning the proposed charter amendment to disband the BPA in 2026, which has already passed its second reading by the Bryan City Council on September 15.
The board also approved a resolution designating the week of October 5-11, 2025, as Public Power Week. It recognizes the people behind public power at Bryan Municipal Utilities for their contributions to the community and to educate customers, policymakers, and employees on the benefits of public power.
The board also heard project updates from various superintendents and supervisors who are under Bryan Municipal Utilities.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Water department superintendent Jimmy Dunning updated the board that the AMI meter installation has 3,210 meters already been installed, with 800 more meters yet to be installed.
“This has been the bulk of our work for our distribution crews,” said Dunning. “Hats off to our guys, they’ve been installing meters right around 100 to 150 meters a week.
“This is very beneficial for our system, not only for our distribution system but also our customers. Throughout this process, since we’ve been continuing to be installing these meters, we’ve seen our water loss number drop by half.”
Dunning mentioned the Ohio EPA Sanitary Survey has been completed, which takes place on site every three years, with no violations.
The survey looks over the department’s reporting records, which they submit to the EPA, along with an in-depth look at all of the assets, including high servicing pumps, elevated storage tanks, and wells.
“The survey evaluated the findings with the ability to provide adequate, safe, and potable water,” said Dunning.
Dunning also noted the water system improvement plan has already started, beginning with a distribution system model in conjunction with Jones and Henry Engineers.
“Last week, we had one of their (Jones and Henry) representatives come to town, and they worked with our water plant personnel,” said Dunning.
“They conducted about 20 different fire hydrant flow tests to give them a good look at our system, kind of what we have on the ground, and gives them a better look at what pressures are in what certain part of town. This will help with hydraulic data and the capability of our system overall.”
He also mentioned that a hydro study is underway. It should be completed by the end of the year. The water towers have already been inspected.
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Communications superintendent Joe Ferrell updated the BPA regarding the decommissioning of the Daggett Substation, which was recently completed.
“We had totally bypassed that substation with fiber communications to connect Bechtol and Industrial Park with fiber for protective relay because it all had to be recalculated,” said Ferrell.
“The reason we completed that, and we now have totally shut that down. We will be removing the fiber out of that location and onto Industrial Park and East Wilson Street.”
Ferrell also reported on the Power Plant Substation project, which is ongoing.
“We got all the fiber and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) completed there,” said Ferrell. “We also installed protective relay communications from the Power Plant to the Cherry, Baker, and Bechtol substations.
“And we are currently in the process of connecting the fiber communications for the breaker controls at the substation on the yard.
POWER PLANT DEPARTMENT
Power plant superintendent Joe Coressel updated about the generation portion they do for peak shaving. “From a generation standpoint, you have to remember it’s not just for peak shaving, it’s also a good backup system for anything that we can’t get supply for,” commented Coressel.
His main concern regarding the generation standpoint was that, from an electrical standpoint, the department was going to remodel Bryan’s electrical system, which hadn’t been done since 2015.
“One of the things I wanted to find out is, are we sufficient from a generation standpoint to take care of Bryan over the next ten years before we do anything with that,” Coressel said.
“I met with a couple of guys last week from InTrust because Spectrum could buy with them; they have a lot more avenues to pull from.
“They came into the plant, looked at everything, and looked at all the books and answered more questions for them. What I’m trying to find out, is our generation sufficient for tomorrow.”
He added that the substation project involving oil containment and fencing installation is finished.
ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT
Electrical distribution superintendent Al Sullivan reported the department has installed three 69kV gang switches on East Edgerton Street and new 3-phase URD (Underground Residential Distribution) services for the Williams County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Doc’s Diesel.
The department also installed a new three-phase primary cable on Dave Swanson’s building, located on the Estle Chevrolet parking lot.
They also installed new URD primary services at 710 Center Street and a transmission pole replacement on West High Street near the State Bank and Trust building.
Sullivan added that electrical work was done in the Autumn Chase extension with the installation of conduits, transformer box pads, and secondary pads.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Engineer supervisor Brock Beck reported that engineering work has been done in the Autumn Chase, Deerfield Subdivision, Eastland Woods, Eastland Estates, and Rays Drive areas of Bryan.
He noted that Rays Drive also underwent an electric relocation, and easement repair was also completed.
Prior to the department project updates, there was a discussion on the role and value of the Board of Public Affairs in local government.
Board chairman Annette Schreiner went over what she had previously said at the city council meeting.
“I would like for others to also have their opportunity to reiterate on how they feel the importance of BPA,” said Schreiner. “This is kind of our last opportunity here to have on record on what BPA means and their role.”
Board member Bob Eyre has been involved in discussions with various people across the city of Bryan.
“The topic has come up, and the first thing I did is listen to the people,” Eyre said. “What they’re telling and what I’ve heard is that they’re not supportive of us and for various reasons for that.”
Local resident Bill Metz told board members they don’t have anything to worry about. “Other that five times it has been on the ballot, it’s been defeated even with only 22 to 37 percent of the registered voters voting during those elections,” said Metz.
“I know the city, not just BMU, is challenged right now with the placement of a water treatment plant for drinking water. It’s going to be expensive and it’s going to be a long period. I think it’s great the board has jumped on it.
Another resident, Deb Beevers commented that this action has been defeated in the past. “However, we haven’t seen this action brought with the current administration that we have in the office,” said Beevers.
“I think we need to form a group of citizens in Bryan that will join a committee with us, maybe contribute some money to help us get the word out.”
Former county commissioner Brian Davis told the board that he had not found anyone in favor of this, but the bigger question he pointed out is why.
“Why are they doing this now? Why are they expending political capital to make a decision that nobody’s clamoring to have made. I don’t have an answer for that,” said Davis.
“I guess the City of Bryan wants to look at its saving money and looking at efficiency. I could give them suggestions that would be far greater than $33,000. But evidently, this is the hot topic on your agenda.”