by Harold Glenn Brock III
The Montpelier Common Council voted yesterday to change the health insurance coverage for the city's employees, effective January 1, 2009.
By a unanimous vote, the city will cover 25 percent of the employee's health insurance. The employee will then pay $38.44 monthly for individual coverage, $92.54 monthly per child, and $123.70 monthly for a spouse. An employee's deduction will rise from $1000 to $2000, also beginning on January 1, 2009. This will save the city of Montpelier $43,176 annually.
Employees who wish not to be covered by this plan may choose their own health insurance.
In another move concerning city employees, starting on January 1, 2009, paychecks will be bi-weekly, instead of bi-monthly. Though this does not present any savings to the city, this move will make it easier for employees to get their checks. Employees will still recieve their next check on Dec. 31, then the next check on January 16, 2009, then every two weeks on fridays from that point on.
The council continues to improve the city's emergency preparedness. Two more diesel generators have been acquired for no charge from government surplus. One has been installed at the police station, another will be installed to run city hall, and another will run the sewage plant. Once these generators are installed, the police department, fire department, city hall, water plant and sewage plant will be able to continue services in case of loss of electricity.
Of the five generators, only the fire department's was purchased, for $5,000. The others were acquired for no charge from government surplus.
The council also agreed unanimously to turn off services to the Cueconnex antenna until services and payment are provided. Cueconnex was to provide 25 radio-read meters to measure signal strength, in exchange for the antenna to provide internet access. After preliminary discussions with Mayor McPherson, no further contact has been made, despite numerous attempts by Mayor McPherson. There is also a bill of $15 to be paid by Cueconnex, said Mayor McPherson.
In other city business, the long-awaited grant to study the leak in the water tank has been promised, but not yet sent, according to Mayor Jim McPherson. The company that will do the study, Commonwealth Services, is ready to proceed to the point that they will cover their cost of the study, until the grant arrives, said Mayor McPherson. The council voted unanimously to allow the study to begin so solutions to the leak can be found in an expedient manner.
The council also advised the members and those present to remind all residents to have winterproofing to houses done soon, if not now, to help reduce calls to the city's Water department. Also, the police department recommended that all residents make sure any dogs have plenty of food, water and shelter outside to help reduce the number of calls to the police department.
Friday, May 30, 2014
NEW YEAR BRINGS ATTENTION TO MONTPELIER WATER AND SEWER PLANTS
by Harold Glenn Brock III
The first Montpelier City Board Meeting of the new year put considerable focus on the Montpelier Water and Sewer plants. The new year may bring considerable change to these facilities.
Some changes have already occurred, as well as an anticipated water plant repair study, according to Bruce Haisley, Montpelier Water and Waste Water Department Head.
Mr. Haisley announced at the meeting last night that the city's Combined Sewer Overflow, or CSO meter, has been sent out for repair, while a substitute has been lent to the city. This meter measures the output of the sewer from the plant. When the CSO meter was checked in June, all functions were normal. During the next inspection, however, the CSO meter was found to be in need of repairs. As the meter was being removed, a sensor inside the 36-inch overflow pipe was found to be non-functional. And, according to Mr. Haisley, a ring that goes around the pipe was missing. "We're not sure how it was lost, but these need replaced", said Mr. Haisley. No exact cost was given for these parts to be replaced. Mr. Haisley expects the cost for the replacement parts to be about "a couple thousand dollars." The cost will be discussed at a later meeting.
Regarding the sewer plant, both pumps were checked. The number two pump was found to be functioning normally. The number one pump, however, needs the Air Release valve replaced, though it is still functioning. The valve replacement will cost $350.
The Water plant pumps have been found to be in need of repair, as well. Though functioning, preventative maintenance is required to improve production of these pumps, Mr. Haisley said. The company that performs these maintenance checks, Peerless Midwest, has been contacted and will be out soon to check the pumps.
The grant to fund the repairs to the water filtration system has been approved, but not yet funded. According to Montpelier mayor Jim McPherson, the state has authorized the work to begin, and that the grant "would probably be funded by March." So far, there is a leak in the filter, as well as a second leak at the bottom of the filtration system. Wayne Bailey, grant writer for Commonwealth Engineering, has presented the contracts to Mayor McPherson, and the work should begin in 30 days. A payment of $5,000 would be paid within 30 days, with the study lasting between 90 to 120 days. If, however, the leaks are found to be in need of emergence repair, the state can provide funds to retrofit the filter and filtration system.
In other city business, a load of salt for road coverage has been delivered to the city Maintenance department. With salt for road coverage so hard to procure, the city has decided to use sand in non-sewer areas of town to help keep the salt reserves available for the rest of the winter. The cost of using sand will be discussed at a later meeting.
The police department annouced they have made two arrests in connection with the recent robberies in town. Investigation into these robberies continues.
The city is closer to being ready for emergency preparedness. There are generators ready to be installed in City Hall and the Sewer plant. Once installed, the city will be able to function in the event of a power outage. Also, the Police department generator is in need of a new solenoid so it will be ready. No time table or cost estimates were given.
Dump prices for city residents has been raised from $15 to $17. Out of town persons fees have been raised from $23 to $25. Price increases are due to the Transfer station raising its rates for usage.
A motion about billing those who owe the city money for services was discussed, but tabled for a later meeting.
Recycling was also discussed. Mayor McPherson announced that the recycling center would be staffed by a city employee. A city employee may volunteer to work the recycling center. That employee would then get a weekday off to work on that Saturday at the recycling center. The hours and locations remain the same.
A discussion about a tree whose branches are growing around the electical wires on the corner of High St. and Columbia Ave. was resolved, as Mayor McPherson said he has been in contact with Indiana and Michigan Power, who have said they would come out soon to investigate the situation.
A motion as to what to do about a house in the 500 block of High st. was introduced. Board member Marla Thiery said she was told by several people that the house is damaged and vacated, and that the inside is a "moldy mess." This issue was tabled until further investigation could be completed.
The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Montpelier City Hall.
The first Montpelier City Board Meeting of the new year put considerable focus on the Montpelier Water and Sewer plants. The new year may bring considerable change to these facilities.
Some changes have already occurred, as well as an anticipated water plant repair study, according to Bruce Haisley, Montpelier Water and Waste Water Department Head.
Mr. Haisley announced at the meeting last night that the city's Combined Sewer Overflow, or CSO meter, has been sent out for repair, while a substitute has been lent to the city. This meter measures the output of the sewer from the plant. When the CSO meter was checked in June, all functions were normal. During the next inspection, however, the CSO meter was found to be in need of repairs. As the meter was being removed, a sensor inside the 36-inch overflow pipe was found to be non-functional. And, according to Mr. Haisley, a ring that goes around the pipe was missing. "We're not sure how it was lost, but these need replaced", said Mr. Haisley. No exact cost was given for these parts to be replaced. Mr. Haisley expects the cost for the replacement parts to be about "a couple thousand dollars." The cost will be discussed at a later meeting.
Regarding the sewer plant, both pumps were checked. The number two pump was found to be functioning normally. The number one pump, however, needs the Air Release valve replaced, though it is still functioning. The valve replacement will cost $350.
The Water plant pumps have been found to be in need of repair, as well. Though functioning, preventative maintenance is required to improve production of these pumps, Mr. Haisley said. The company that performs these maintenance checks, Peerless Midwest, has been contacted and will be out soon to check the pumps.
The grant to fund the repairs to the water filtration system has been approved, but not yet funded. According to Montpelier mayor Jim McPherson, the state has authorized the work to begin, and that the grant "would probably be funded by March." So far, there is a leak in the filter, as well as a second leak at the bottom of the filtration system. Wayne Bailey, grant writer for Commonwealth Engineering, has presented the contracts to Mayor McPherson, and the work should begin in 30 days. A payment of $5,000 would be paid within 30 days, with the study lasting between 90 to 120 days. If, however, the leaks are found to be in need of emergence repair, the state can provide funds to retrofit the filter and filtration system.
In other city business, a load of salt for road coverage has been delivered to the city Maintenance department. With salt for road coverage so hard to procure, the city has decided to use sand in non-sewer areas of town to help keep the salt reserves available for the rest of the winter. The cost of using sand will be discussed at a later meeting.
The police department annouced they have made two arrests in connection with the recent robberies in town. Investigation into these robberies continues.
The city is closer to being ready for emergency preparedness. There are generators ready to be installed in City Hall and the Sewer plant. Once installed, the city will be able to function in the event of a power outage. Also, the Police department generator is in need of a new solenoid so it will be ready. No time table or cost estimates were given.
Dump prices for city residents has been raised from $15 to $17. Out of town persons fees have been raised from $23 to $25. Price increases are due to the Transfer station raising its rates for usage.
A motion about billing those who owe the city money for services was discussed, but tabled for a later meeting.
Recycling was also discussed. Mayor McPherson announced that the recycling center would be staffed by a city employee. A city employee may volunteer to work the recycling center. That employee would then get a weekday off to work on that Saturday at the recycling center. The hours and locations remain the same.
A discussion about a tree whose branches are growing around the electical wires on the corner of High St. and Columbia Ave. was resolved, as Mayor McPherson said he has been in contact with Indiana and Michigan Power, who have said they would come out soon to investigate the situation.
A motion as to what to do about a house in the 500 block of High st. was introduced. Board member Marla Thiery said she was told by several people that the house is damaged and vacated, and that the inside is a "moldy mess." This issue was tabled until further investigation could be completed.
The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Montpelier City Hall.
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