Board tackles sewer problems

Nevada Daily Mail

Pumping 150 gallons of water a minute -- 216,000 gallons -- for more than 24 hours into a lagoon designed to take 26,000 gallons of water a day is bound to create problems for the city of Bronough.

That's how Gary Laudermilk, Bronaugh water and wastewater treatment operator, ex-plained the city's sewer system problem at the board of aldermen meeting Monday. The problem is not a new one.

Laudermilk said water from manholes has been leaking into the sewer system for years, much of it traced to manholes on Sixth Street.

"I know there's five manholes up there that are leaking water into the system," he said. "I'm going to inspect all the manholes again and make sure we don't have any deterioration in them."

One manhole Lauder-milk cited in particular is in need of serious repair and the only way to fix it is to dig up around it and seal it from the outside with special wrap.

"That really needs to be done," he urged. "It's going to cost somewhere around $1,500 to $2,500. If we can work on these things and get them fixed a little bit at a time, we'll be OK."

All six aldermen and Mayor Sherry Brown agreed the work needs to be done and approved the project.

Laudermilk mentioned the other manholes could be sprayed at a cost of $120 a running foot. He also suggested the city consider building an earthen dam or concrete containment wall around the lift station because of frequent flooding.

On another matter, board members approved associate membership in the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission. The commission offers assistance to Missouri communities in economic development planning, transportation planning, solid waste management, hazard mitigation planning, homeland security planning, census information, grant writing and administration services.

The council appointed Treasurer Ann Laudermilk to represent Bronaugh to the commission.

Council members also discussed the senior citizens' annual breakfast, which is set to be at city hall during the fall festival.

"They can have the breakfast in here, but it will be open to the public," Brown said. "We would like 66public can enter after the parade."

Keith Roggensees of Bronaugh announced the Neighborhood Watch committee would meet with the sheriff at 7 p.m. July 11 to bring up any questions or concerns.

In other business:

* Aldermen agreed that water bills have to be paid in full when due, with no exceptions.

* Aldermen approved to pay the city's general liability insurance by allotting property insurance to the water and sewer funds ,while the rest of the liability would be paid by the government fund. Ann Laudermilk had given the board three options for paying the city's general liability during the meeting. The first option would equally divide liability into the government, water and sewer funds. The second option would be paid by the government fund alone, which is what the board did last year.

After explaining the benefits and drawbacks of each, the treasurer suggested option three as the best solution because it would take some pressure off the water and sewer funds, and the board agreed.

* Aldermen heard a report on the Department of Natural Resources inspection of Bronaugh's water system, which found no significant deficiencies in the potential for contaminants and no violations of safe drinking water regulations. The DNR recommended the city keep a detailed main flushing program.

Brown also announced the city's loan from the state for water improvements will likely be approved. She said she sees nothing preventing the city from getting the loan.

* The mayor announced the city would most likely hire Ed Fowler to mow. The city will be gathering a list of properties in need of mowing, contacting the owners, and arranging to mow.

* In an effort to better reduce the number of dogs running loose in town, the board of aldermen will be purchasing dog tags and registration forms.

"It will cost the city $50. The price of dog tags is not going to be prohibitive to enforcing the dog ordinance," Brown said.

A clinic will be held for residents to register their dogs and acquire a dog tag, but a date for that clinic has not been set.

* Ann Laudermilk informed the board that she had to buy a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher for the city hall at the insurance carrier's request. Insurance premiums should go down $154 for 2013.

"Let's have a party," Roggensees joked from the public gallery.

* Aldermen decided not to charge residents for using tables and chairs at city hall. City Clerk Lori Conner brought up the possibility of renting the tables and chairs. The baord decided not to charge since the furnishings were donated.