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showing me how to work alongside your From page 19: Bob Freudenthal Utility Project of the Year
team and not over them.
Randy, thank you for teaching me the resistance from both the community and the Board, and it was shelved. In 1986, after
value of a donut—it’s more than just a the City acquired land for the Johnson Road Water Treatment Plant, the need for the
treat; it’s about sharing moments with the second elevated tank resurfaced.
team. Plant Was Built, But Tank Funding Meets Community Opposition
Sharon, thank you for mentoring me, Over the next five years, the plant was built in three phases, but funding for the
even when I didn’t realize I needed it. You tank was never secured. In 2005, the City’s Fire Chief, Dennis Wolf, and I jointly
were the first female engineer I ever met, advocated for the construction of the second elevated tank at the Johnson Road site,
and I learned so much from you. using our goal of achieving a Class 1 ISO rating as a catalyst.
To my Engineering and Utilities The project was funded, and a design firm was selected, with plans well underway.
teams, thank you for your hard work, However, after a community meeting at a nearby church where over 100 attendees
your constant support, and for being the expressed strong opposition, the project was halted once again.
backbone of our city. I couldn’t do this job As Germantown continued to grow, the need for redundant elevated water storage
without each one of you. and consistent system pressure became more pressing. In 2020, I revisited the project,
Klair, thank you for always patiently but immediate push-back from the community made it clear that the Johnson Road
answering my endless questions, site was not viable. A second site near a new elementary school also drew opposition.
especially these past couple of years.
To my TCAPWA family, thank you for Land Swap Moved the Project Forward
pushing me into this role and for being a Finally, a local developer suggested a land swap, offering five acres adjacent to a
constant source of encouragement. railroad track and near an existing cellular tower (9170 Wilder Run Circle North) in
Finally, Kim, thank you for stepping up exchange for three acres near the elementary school. The City agreed to the trade, and
as TCAPWA’s next president. As I pass the project moved forward.
the baton, I have no doubt that you will This time, both the community and elected officials recognized the infrastructure
do incredible things in the coming year. I needs driven by growth and fire suppression. While it took more than three years to
look forward to continuing to collaborate complete the project due to supply chain and site issues, in the fall of 2024, Mayor
with you on the exciting plans we’ve Mike Palazzolo turned the valve wheel, fulfilling a goal 54 years in the making.
already begun to shape. Gaining community support for public infrastructure projects often can be
Thank you all again for your support, challenging, but this project exemplifies the persistence required by Public Works
and here’s to continued learning and professionals to meet a community’s infrastructure needs. This is why the project won
growth! the 2024 inaugural Bob Freudenthal Public Utility Project of the Year Award.

View online at tnpublicworks.com 23