Sheldon officials prepare to update water study

The Sheldon Board of Aldermen met on Wednesday, Nov. 25, to discuss updating the engineering study of the city's water system with engineer Eugene Spears, P.E., Senior Vice President of Allgeier, Martin and Associates Inc. of Joplin.

The special meeting was prompted by the donation of $5,000 by Sheldon resident Rickie Garr who gave the money to update the current engineering study and was attended by Mayor Rob Sewell, board president Jerod Lamb and aldermen Larry Gardner and Robert Moran. Clara Smith did not attend. City clerk Becky Morgan was also present in her official capacity. There were no interested citizens present at the meeting.

Sewell opened the meeting and turned it over to Spears who briefly informed the group of his organization and qualifications. He then asked, "What do you all want...what is your goal?" Lamb began the city's side of the discussion by informing Spears of the bad smell, bad taste, dropped valves and other problems "you see all the time with an old antiquated system."

The discussion went back and forth on different aspects of the present system. The group touched on just about every facet of a municipal water supply. Demand, chemical analysis, storage, delivery, treatment, regulations and funding options were just some of the issues addressed.

Spears used neutral terms and simple language to relate the facts of the outdated study and make inquiries into the problem so he could make some recommendations and give the group as much information as possible based on his 43 years of experience in the field.

It was agreed by all that a new study was the first thing needed in order to gain full understanding of the problem and to acquire the funding necessary to update the city water system. Spears finished by saying, "It's in your best interest to let us do an engineering report."

Lamb related how the funding for the study was available and the city was ready to proceed at this point. It was originally thought that the old study would be updated, but Spears informed the board that for the sum of $5,000, his group would use the old report as a reference source, gather new data and put together an entirely new report.

Spears gave the board a standard contract from his company for the board to have reviewed by its legal counsel. He wanted them to have time to review the contract, become familiar with the terms, discuss the matter and make an informed decision. After telling the board he would be glad to work for them, he excused himself and left. The board was happy with the outcome of the meeting, and decided to review the contract and render a decision on the issue at the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held Dec. 10.