BAY MINETTE, Ala. — North Baldwin Utilities discussed a violation and a water-line expansion project on Baldwin County Highway 112 during its regular board meeting on Wednesday.

General Manager Jason Padgett explained that a late April deadline of Volatile Organic Chemical sampling was due to scheduling confusion, but that the deadline was technically missed. So a notice was placed on utility bills and posted in apartment complexes.

He said the violation took place at well number three on Dickman Road. But upon receiving test-schedule notification, the company tested chemicals and found no problems.

In other business, board members discussed a current, line-expansion project.

Padgett said that water lines on the county road stretch to Perdido and that 6-inch pipes are being replaced by 12-inch pipes.

“That has meant moving phone lines,” he said. “They’ve been there a month, and it will take another three to four weeks.”

Engineering Manager Larry Stejkal said the work is more difficult than some realize because of no shoulder room and narrow work space.

“There’s no place to lay that pipeline, and the guys are doing a great job keeping traffic going and cleaning up behind themselves,” he said. “There’s just no dirt down there (under the road) anymore. It’s all pipes and cables.”

Also Wednesday, Padgett explained that a 3,000-acre megasite, located north of the railroad tracks from U.S. Interstate I-65 to U.S. Highway 31 and from U.S. Highway 287 (exit 31) to the proposed Foley Beach Express, will be certified by the end of May.

Though no industries have yet purchased the property, Padgett said the process is five to 10 steps ahead, as water and gas have already been run to the location and sewer lines are nearby at Cottage Park.

Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery commended city planning and utility work on the site.

“In a time of recession, it’s a time to plan, not to be idle,” she said, adding that “no deal will occur with any entity until the site is certified.”

Padgett also reported that the company spent slightly more than $493,000 in 2010-11 capital expenditure — a figure that’s $1,000 less than last year’s.

“Water taps are down just a little bit, and sewer taps are down just a little bit from last year,” he said, “But when it comes to two years ago, they’re up. Natural gas sales are up because we had a good, cold winter.”