The Patriot Town Council held its monthly utility meeting on August 19th with members Janett Boling, Danielle Hutchinson and Jim Caudill present; along with utility superintendent Sherry Ogden and town clerk Linda Fisk present. The meeting was called to order and followed by the pledge to the flag and prayer.
In council business:
– Shannon McLeod, representing PPR grant administrators, held a public hearing for the Department of Commerce planning grant application. If successful, the 90/10 grant for $30,000 would pay for a study to be done on the town sewer plant by Strand Associates.
The aging plant has been maintained through the years but shows significant wear on the influent tank despite being coated a couple of times. The town is responsible for 10 percent of the grant and Shannon’s expenses.
– Strand’s engineer Jim McNulty reported that the construction of State Road 156 water main should begin late August or early September once the highway permits are obtained. The SRF loan has a current balance of around $590,000 with the construction to cost approximately $430,000.
– Water tank painting is complete. However, there are minor issues related to fence repair and clean up at East Enterprise that must be completed. A $5,000 retainage is being held until these issues are resolved.
– Plans for water line replacement on Searcy Ridge/Sand Run Road, Beatty Ridge Road and Campbell Road are nearly complete. The utility should decide soon whether to pursue construction in 2008.
– A permit application for construction of the Markland Industrial Park water main extension has been submitted to IDEM. Strand is preparing to bid the project in September. However, Patriot Utilities is pursuing an easement from one of the adjacent property owners to make the construction and future maintenance easier. The project is estimated to cost in excess of $150,000.
– George Miller submitted bid proposal packets to pave the majority of Foxtail Lane. Dave O’Mara Contractors bid was $33,845 and Paul Rohe Company bid $29,609.50. The council awarded the bid to Paul Rohe.
The work involves some ditching. Installation of one 15-inch culvert with box as well as 18,200 square feet of asphalt. The work will be completed this year.
– Utility Superintendent Sherry Ogden reported that the rear adjoining property to the Florence well field is for sale. The council told Sherry Ogden to see if three monthly payments of $7,000 could be made: If the owner agreed, the council would instruct the town attorney to draw up a contract.
– Sherry Ogden reported that the Patriot wells have pumped 6,062,000 gallons of water and Florence wells have pumped 28,247,000 gallons of water for the same period.
– Utility workers reported getting good readings from the auto read meters, however, 186 meters out of the total 3,100 meters didn’t read. The biggest problem is the meter number not being entered correctly into the database. Sherry Ogden felt these were minor issues and would soon be worked out.
– Gardy Smith and George Adkins were hired as new full-time workers.
– Sherry Ogden asked the council if the town could buy the red S-10 service truck for town maintenance use. Council advised her to contact the attorney to see if anything special has to be done to purchase it.
– The Mack dump truck is in the shop getting some repairs, expected costs to be around $1,500.
– Council approved the monthly bills. With no other business to come before it, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is Tuesday, September 2nd, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.