Repairs to the main pump station will cost the town around $55,000, but officials believe spending that money is the best course of action to remedy ongoing sewer system issues.
Town Board President Doug Jones said Monday that the company that installed the original equipment went out of business immediately after, and the town has had to rely on the manufacturer when problems occurred.
Board member Christina Archer said the manufacturer told them that the town’s equipment burns out much faster than that of any other customers, and that the town is using “an extraordinary number” of grinder pumps.
The repairs will consist of two components. NIPSCO estimated it would cost $8,049 to install the correct transformers on the power pole at the pump station. Once NIPSCO’s work is done, the damaged equipment will be replaced with a new wastewater drive and an intelligent pump station management control. D&D Electric estimated a cost of $47,400 for this part of the project, which will retrofit the existing circuitboard.
Jones said that the system has been on bypass since Thanksgiving, and he’s concerned the additional pressure could begin to damage individual pumps. Further, he reminded those present that the bypass mode is only meant to be used in emergency situations, not for continual operation. Jones said he hates to spend the money, but “we just can’t get ahead of this. Instead of chasing (the problem) all the time, we need to get it fixed.”
Sewer superintendent Derek Tenney said the new pumps the town had installed a year ago would work with the new system. A net gain of the project, Jones said, is that in addition to having a system that works, they would have someone local to give them support as needed. Jones and Archer voted to move forward with the project. Board member Tom Moore was not at the meeting.
In a related matter, Avalign will pay to repair damage to the pump at their business. Tenney passed around photos showing a rag wrapped up in the windings of a pump, ruining it. He said there has been pump damage at the property several times, but Avalign will take care of the damage and the labor to fix it. Tenney said he will document his work so the board can bill Avalign directly.
Jones encouraged business owners and landlords to place “No Wipes in the Pipes” signs in their properties, as this continues to be an issue with pumps. “I was told by the manufacturer that they will grind up a golf ball,” he said. “Well, they will grind up a golf ball, but they won’t grind up baby wipes.”
He asked for the public’s help by refraining from flushing baby wipes, cleaning wipes, feminine and birth control products, and other such items. Continued abuse of the system could lead to an increase in the town’s sewer rate. He said business owners may have signs to post at their location free of charge.
Also during the meeting, Rich Haddad, executive director of the K21 Health Foundation, told the board it may apply for up to $200,000 from the foundation. The only condition, he said, is that the funds must be used for health and wellness opportunities for town residents. “We don’t want to tell you how to spend the money, we want you to decide,” he said.
Jones asked if the money could be used for ongoing curb and gutter work. Haddad said that might be possible if the town could justify that the work would improve pedestrian activity, and prove that residents are living a more active lifestyle.
Archer recalled ideas raised in last summer’s town chats, including walking paths, and a park or playground within town limits. There is no public space for children to play since Leesburg Elementary moved across the railroad tracks and outside of town. Haddad said creating “safe passage” to the school would meet grant requirements.
In other business:
• The board OK’d allowing Floras Auto Sales to mount motion-activated security cameras on the lift station at the south end of their property.
• A resident praised the town for how well streets are kept up.
• One violation and three warning tags were issued to vehicles in violation of the town’s “No Parking from 3 to 5 a.m.” ordinance.
The next board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. March 9 at the town hall.
