PORT ANGELES — City Hall plans to have its new automated utility meters installed beginning this May.

Port Angeles City Manager Kent Myers approved the schedule Tuesday.

Phil Lusk, city power resources manager, said Mueller Systems, the company contracted to provide and install the “smart” meters, has been given the go-ahead to begin anytime in May — though exactly when has not been determined.

Public meetings on the project will be held at noon and 6 p.m. April 14 in council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.

The $5.4 million project allows electrical and water consumption to be metered more accurately and remotely through Port Angeles’ fiber-optic network and wireless devices that would be located throughout the city, public works officials said.

Utility customers also can sign up for a program that allows the city to remotely turn off water heaters or lower their thermostats at times of the day when energy demand is at its highest.

Applications for the program will be accepted in June, Lusk said.

I Street installation

Installation will begin in the I Street neighborhood, Larry Dunbar, city deputy director of power systems, told the Utility Advisory Committee on Tuesday.

But the seven City Council members and about four staff members will get the meters first, sometime in April, Dunbar said.

He said the intent is to allow them to use the technology firsthand and be able to handle any concerns or questions raised by residents.

In all, 19,000 meters will be installed through January.

Installation is expected to take between five to 10 minutes at each home and business.

Informational pamphlets will be sent to residents with their next utility bills.

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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.