Ferguson Waterworks reported to the Jamestown Public Works Committee that approximately 300 utility accounts remain on older meters and require replacement with radio‑read units. City staff said they will intensify outreach beginning mid‑November, adding evening door‑knocking and callbacks to reach customers and gain access for replacements. Under city code, residents must provide access for meter changeouts, a requirement committee members reiterated during the meeting.

The upgrade to radio‑read meters is part of a broader modernization effort to streamline meter reading and improve billing accuracy, but the backlog of unconverted accounts has created a targeted operational priority for Public Works. Staff told the committee they will be more proactive in contacting account holders who have not yet scheduled or permitted the swap. The committee also discussed whether higher noncompliance fees are permissible under existing rules as a lever to secure access, though no policy change was finalized at the meeting.

Committee members emphasized that functioning curb stops at the property line are necessary for crews to safely and efficiently replace meters. Residents whose curb stops are inoperable may face delays in completing the conversion until repairs are made. That condition has potential implications for service continuity and scheduling of city crews, and it concentrates responsibility on both the utility and property owners to coordinate readiness for the replacements.

The procedural steps announced by Ferguson Waterworks — evening canvassing and callbacks — aim to reduce the number of manual interventions and ensure the city can complete the meter network transition. For customers, the practical impacts include potential interruptions in scheduling, the need to provide access during door‑knock outreach, and the possibility of future enforcement or fee measures if compliance remains low.

In a separate but related governance action, the Police & Fire Committee recommended acquiring 20 new self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units plus spare cylinders for the fire department. The committee noted that the bulk of the purchase would be covered by donations, reducing the need to draw on the general fund. The proposed acquisition addresses equipment lifecycle needs for firefighter safety and aims to maintain operational readiness for emergency response.

The Police & Fire Committee also recorded that Back the Blue retention bonuses were awarded to Jamestown officers, an acknowledgment of ongoing efforts to stabilize staffing and retain public safety personnel. The committee’s attention to both equipment replacement and retention incentives reflects concurrent investments in operational capacity across municipal services.

Taken together, the committee actions signal a city focused on completing infrastructure upgrades while sustaining public safety capabilities. Residents with outstanding meter replacements should expect additional outreach in mid‑November and are advised to ensure access and functioning curb stops to avoid delays. The donation‑backed SCBA purchase underscores community contributions to local safety needs and the municipal effort to balance funding sources.