The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By: Michael Rodeffer, The Quill
At the May 10th regular council meeting the main topic was the water issues residents are still having.
Jim and Jeanette Ford came to the meeting to address the council about their continuing water issues. The Fords noted some days the water is good and some days it is not. They have grayish, dirty water sometimes and also have a smell from to much sulfur content.
Jim stated the water is very inconsistent with the ph level and sulfer content. Jim also stated he tests his water regularly. Jim said the water is worse than it has been lately.
Jim has been contacted by several other residents about how they can improve their water also. The Fords came to the meeting because they had read that it was not good enough to just tell their alderman, they needed to come to a meeting with their problems.
The Mayor Kat Hasten Reed clarified to everyone that it should be fine to express your problems with your alderman and let them bring it to the meetings. Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed said, "If you are having issues with your water, please e-mail me at hastenward3@gmail.com." "I will keep names anonymous if you want."
Kat further stated that everyone needs to keep a log of the water complaints and follow up to see if the problems are improving or not.
Alderman Dave Clover stated, "In my opinion we need to bring in an independent contractor to assess our problems"
The Mayor noted Daniel and Tim have been doing everything they have been told to do with respect to adding chemicals and blending the different water from the wells.
Tim Graves commented they have been feeding a caustic to bring the ph level up and that is very corrosive, so it could be causing issues in the plumbing in some houses. Tim also noted that sulfur levels have been a problem.
IMEG Engineering Firm Representative Megan Crook noted a water tower mixer was in the process and just waiting on an IEPA permit. Crook noted IMEG water "expert" Jack Kusek would be available to come to the May 24th meeting to discuss the water issues and try to come up with some answers.
Crook expressed the water coming from the plant appears clear and they may need to pin point problems on a map to come up with a common denominator to the water issues.
Crook also said they could visit more houses with water issues to help determine some answers. Crook commented the old water chemistry was so different from the water you are currently using, it is probably affecting plumbing in some houses.
Mayor Hasten-Reed replied, "But with a high tech system that costs 7 million dollars there should be checks and balances that says this is what you need to do for certain problems."
It was decided to have a joint committee meeting at 6 p.m. on May 24th to discuss water issues. Jack Kusek was available on that date so any water issues may be presented.
It was also decided to put out a survey with the water bill in hopes that the residents can send in their water issues.
Name, address, type of piping or plumbing, etc will be asked. Residents are encouraged to answer any questions possible but to return the surveys so the council has a better idea of any and all water problems.
The council discussed the problems with the high service pumps at the new water plant. The bases for the pumps were not big enough to begin with and the pumps vibrated from day one.
Also Tim Graves said the pumps had leaked oil from the very beginning.
Consensus from the council was for the contractor to redo the bases which the pumps sit on and make them the size they were supposed to be.
Council also wanted new pumps installed since the vibration could have caused some damage to the pumps over the last year.
IMEG Representative Crook was going to relay the news to the contractor who is Trotter.
$93,000 has been held back from the contract until the pumps and new pads are done.
The council tabled water meter purchases for $185,700 until they see if there will be any contingency money left from the water project.
In other action the council unanimously approved:
Greg Wisslead was nominated and approved unanimously for Ward 2 for an unexpired 2 year term for alderman.
At the end of the meeting, Dave Clover and Kelly Harkey, who were elected in April and Treasurer Monalisa Graves, who was also elected in April, along with Greg Wisslead were installed by Clerk Lucretia McPeak.
Those in attendance were Mayor Kat Hasten-Reed; Alderpersons, Deanna Stambaugh, Kelly Harkey, Dave Clover, Greg Wisslead, Randy Shumaker; Treasurer Monalisa Grave; Clerk Lucretia McPeak; Attorney Chris Scholz; Employees, Tim Graves, Dan Carpenter, Trevor Finch, David Little, Police Chief Larry Finch, Police Officer Marlie Burt; Guests, IMEG Representative Megan Crook, Jim and Jeanette Ford, Dan Gillett and Michael Rodeffer.
Council adjourned at 9:30 p.m.