St. Marie Water District Meets
North Valley County Water and Sewer District board members and general manager Terry Kolpin called a special meeting July 31 in St. Marie to address residents’ concerns around water billing, testing and administrative practices. Approximately 25 people attended a tense gathering at the town hall building.
A planned agenda meeting was canceled due a lack of quorum, but board members Krystal Dickerson and Russell Kolpin helped run an informal meeting with Q& A. Deputies from the Valley County Sheriff’s Office were present to keep the peace at the request of NVCWSD board members. Residents requested the presence of Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer, who attended via Zoom.
Concerns raised by residents included a lack of water testing and mismanagement of funds. Earlier in July, Montana DEQ Public Policy Director Rebecca Harbage confirmed that NVCWSD had received several violations for failing to monitor and report monthly bacteria samples and chlorine residuals, as well as other issues. While confirming the failures, Harbage said the water supply to the community is safe to drink. “Incoming water is already treated to meet the requirements of Montana water supply laws and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act,” she said.
Kolpin, who started with NVCWSD in October, told residents she is now certified to conduct testing. She added that American Rescue Plan Act funding for system improvements is closer to dispensation following assistance from staff with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
One major complaint leveled at Kolpin during the informal meeting was related to billing estimates. Residents said that bills are often estimated when access issues or problems with faulty equipment arise, a practice Kolpin confirmed. She told the Northern Plains Independent that the practice of estimating water bills dates to previous NVCWSD management and boards. “If it comes up as an error,” Kolpin said, “it’s probably being estimated.”
Kolpin told residents that Glasgow’s Lee Riddick Plumbing & Heating has a limited contract to replace damaged and outdated meter equipment. “He only works on meters when he has another job in St. Marie,“ Kolpin said. She said the current contract doesn’t include travel expenses to the community. As of July 31, Riddick had replaced 66 meters, according to Kolpin. No firm timeline was available for the remaining meter work.
Residents also expressed frustrations about NVCWSD staff availability and responsiveness and shared suspicions about perceived nepotism, pointing to members of Kolpin’s family, who are on the NVCWSD board and payroll in various capacities. Questions were raised about publication procedures for job notices related to those positions.
Richard Schofield, who moved to the area in 2023, spoke up at the July meeting and questioned Kolpin about her availability. At press time August 12, Schofield told NPI that he remains concerned about management of the district. He said attempts to reach Kolpin and NVCWSD staff since the July 31 meeting have been unsuccessful. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll be back on the phone again,” Schofield said, “trying to get my bill resolved.”
Schofield said NVCWSD has been responsive when he was able to reach staff directly. “The one time I did get a hold of Terry, they resolved my issue within 72 hours,” he said. He told meeting attendees that he has tried making contact with NVCWSD via daily calls during business hours, often for weeks on end, with no response. Multiple residents at the meeting confirmed similar treatment.
The next NVCWSD board meeting is scheduled for August 19 at 6 p.m. at the St. Marie town hall building. For more information, call 406524-3374.
