Saving Energy and Saving Money

 The City of Northwood Utilities have been busy making our system more efficient to save energy and money for all of our customers. In our infrastructure projects we were able to include variable frequency drive motors for all of the process pumps for the lift stations to receive a rebate through the Bright Energy Solutions^® rebate program.

The City was very fortunate to be awarded grant funding for some system improvements.

One grant project is a system grant that was only available to municipal electric systems. We were successfully awarded full funding for the installation of capacitor banks at our substations, additional ripple control receivers for our load management system and installation of one phase of an LED street light conversion project.

We also received another grant that covered the second phase of LED street light conversion. Northwood now has 80 LED streetlights installed and this accounts for 20% of the street lights. In just one month, we were able to save $960.00 in electricity costs by converting those streetlights to LED fixtures.  You will notice the color is more blue and the light is all directed down rather than the wasted light that was directed up. Even though they use much less energy, we were able to verify with a light meter that the new lights register more foot candles than the previous high pressure sodium light fixtures. The first two phases replaced the fixtures for the streetlights on North Raymond Street from the highway into and including the downtown area as well as the lights near the park and along the driveway to the school.

The third grant project included the retrofit of energy efficient lighting in city owned buildings. This also has produced significant savings for our city. This grant project was also able to receive matching funding through the Bright Energy Solutions^® rebate program.

Another way we are helping our customers save money and energy is with rebates for items such as energy efficient lighting and ENERGY STAR^® appliances. The rebates come through the City of Northwood Utilities with assistance from Missouri River Energy Services. For more information on the rebates available for your home or business, please go to the website: www.brightenergysolutions.com   Applications for the appliance rebates are also available at City Hall.

You will also find articles in this newsletter regarding the Bright Ideas^SM Newsletter and the Questline service to assist you in saving you even more energy and money.

With us as your hometown utility you can save energy and save money.

Construction Update

 The EDA infrastructure improvement grant project has the utility lines completed for the water and sewer expansion. Businesses can connect to those new lines as soon as weather permits. The paving for Trojan Rd (35th St - by the school) is anticipated to take place this summer. The pavement for Potato Rd is currently on hold but will be evaluated after the frost is out of the ground.

The lagoon expansion grant project is complete, on time and under budget. That project included raising the dikes to provide additional capacity, an aeration system and a building for the blower system. Backup generation was also included to provide electricity in case of a power outage. As a part of these grant projects, all of the lift stations are now connected to the SCADA system so the city can see all pump activity and status on one screen. There are alarms that signal and dial out necessary emergency response staff when needed. This is just another way we can always be working to ensure reliable utility services.

The HUD grant project to reconstruct a building in downtown Northwood will begin this summer. All of the bids have been reviewed and contracts awarded. We currently have more interested parties in renting the retail space than we have space; however, please contact City Hall if you are interested. We will keep a waiting list as needs do change so we ensure all of the space is fully utilized. This will be a great addition to our community and revitalization of our downtown area for economic growth.

Residential Citywide Cleanup

 Spring clean up dates for 2011 have been scheduled. For residents located east of Adam Street, Cleanup Day is Tuesday, May 10th. For residents located west of Adam Street, Cleanup Day is Thursday, May 12th. Both days begin at 7am and end at 5pm. Do not pile on berm prior to May 7th.

All items must be placed on the berm. The items must be separated into the following three stacks: burnable items, metals and plastics. NO ELECTRONICS are allowed at the landfill and will not be accepted. NO reconstruction or remodeling projects will be picked up.

On Saturday, May 7th from 9am until Noon, the landfill will be open with NO CHARGE for dumping during that time. City residents with large loads are encouraged to bring out their separated load during that time. City businesses can also come during that time with NO CHARGE for dumping.

The landfill is currently open the 1st Saturday of the month and by appointment only. The summer schedule runs May through October and the landfill will be open on Thursdays 4pm to 7pm. All loads must be separated. The City has a dump truck available for rental to  residents that are doing self-improvement projects. The cost is $75.00 per dump and can be used a maximum of three consecutive days per location. The City will deliver the truck, leave for you to fill (you must separate the load), and empty the truck for you.

Yard waste collection is  on Thursdays and will begin on Thursday, May 5th, weather permitting. To receive pickup of your grass clippings and leaves, you need only one official yard waste container, available for $10.00 at City Hall. Additional containers can be used but plastic bags are NOT allowed.

 City of Northwood Utilities recently announced the launch of its first issue of Bright Ideas^SM, a FREE newsletter intended to provide homeowners energy-saving tips, hints, and other timely information about energy efficiency and the Bright Energy Solutions^® program. The Bright Energy Solutions program provides a variety of energy efficiency rebates for residents and businesses alike.

Bright Ideas also will include a number of other useful features and services, including: energy quick-tips and recommendations; easy-to-search energy library; calculators to help homeowners choose the most efficient appliances, and heating and cooling equipment; a home energy analyzer; and a carbon footprint calculator.

The e-newsletter will be distributed monthly to subscribers.

The Bright Ideas newsletter covers a wide variety of topics that can help residential customers learn how to easily save energy throughout the house. Whether it’s determining how much energy a big-screen TV uses, or how to “green” your lifestyle, the simple tips and information included in the Bright Ideas newsletter are intended to encourage homeowners to take action. 

To learn how you can sign up for the free Bright Ideas newsletter or the Bright Energy Solutions program, call  or email City Hall or visit www.brightenergysolutions.com

Phone Numbers Needed

It is very important that we have a current phone number in which to contact you for your city and utility service concerns. If you have removed your landline and switched to cellular service only, please contact city hall with your current number.

Businesses in Northwood can now access a technical hotline service that provides answers to energy questions, technology and process assistance, regulatory and environment information and much more. City of Northwood Utilities provides the Questline technical resource service to its business customers free of charge. The Questline resource provides an “Ask An Expert” hotline to solve problems specific to each business’ processes, equipment and industry. They also provide an on-line library of information and an electronic newsletter with the latest in energy technologies and issues. There are a wide variety of tips and guides available to help businesses run more efficiently. The Questline technical resource provides our local businesses information that can help gain a competitive edge and build a stronger bottom line. They can get quick answers to questions that it may take their competitors weeks to find. Questline is available to the City of Northwood businesses right now and is completely FREE. Sign up today at City Hall.

Police Department Update

 The Dog & Cat Clinic with Cooperstown Vet Clinic will be at the Northwood Community Center on Saturday, April 30th from 10am to 11am. Every cat and dog is required to be licensed annually. Please bring proof of vaccination if you are not having the vaccinations done that day.

There will be a bike safety rodeo at the Northwood School on Tuesday, May 17th starting at 1:45pm. Helmets are required to participate and will also be available to borrow or purchase from SafeKids ($8 for a bicycle helmet or $12 for an all-sports helmet). Students will also be given safety worksheets to complete in advance. When they turn in those sheets at school, they will be entered for a chance to win one of two bicycles.

The Northwood Police Department will begin their annual     assessment of junk items and vehicles throughout the city starting the end of this month.

Park District Update

 In June of 2010, The Northwood Park District welcomed Bobbie Jo Braun Uglem, Cherie Korsmo and Diane Twete as new board members with Roger Korsmo to serve a second term and Chris Burwell to finish out his current term.    The board worked hard to get the finances back on track by doing lots of concession events and hosting fundraisers. They are thankful for all of the volunteers and donations. During the weekend of Old Fashioned Saturday, they were able to raise $10,400.00 including the matching funds from Northwood Economic Development. Thank you!

They are excited to note that they will have all damages from the tornado repaired or replaced this year.

Northwood Park District would like to thank the Marie Uglem Estate for the generous monetary donation. This donation is being used to purchase 16 new picnic tables for the park.

The park district is also having a hole sponsorship for the golf course. They have had a great response from the community and area businesses. All holes will be receiving a new sign, new flag, new markers and a sponsorship notification. Hurry in as there are only a few sponsorships left.

T-Ball (ages 4-8) and Little League (ages 9-12) will start in early June. 

The park district would like to bring the soccer program back. Anyone interested in coaching, please contact a board member. 

At the current time, there are not enough applicants to hire to run the swimming pool for the summer. If the pool is able to open this year, they will also be offering adult swim and water aerobics.

The spring sign-up for ALL park activities including golf fees will be Monday, April 18th from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at the Community Center.