Syracuse Eyes Wastewater Complications
August 17, 2016 at 5:42 p.m.
By -
Public Works Superintendent Rob Merchant updated the council on several issues.
Upon putting the UV system into operation after concrete housing was recently constructed, Merchant discovered the system was backing up. Upon further inspection by Triad Associates Inc. and R.E. Crosby Construction, it was discovered that the housing structure, put in place by a secondary company, was made 1.1 feet too high. The mistake was caused by a typo in specifications by the manufacturer. Merchant noted that Crosby agreed to take ownership of the problem and make whatever constructional adjustments were necessary to fix the issue.
Merchant also said he would feel comfortable if Crosby were to provide a warranty for the structure and if the solution that Crosby came up with was looked over by a third party. A Crosby representative asked that the issue be discussed in detail at an alternative date. This was agreed upon by the council and Merchant.
A second problem also was discovered involving recently installed aeration units in the plant oxidation ditches. Crosby installed Aire-O2 Triton Process Aerator Mixer units from Aeration Industries according to the manufacturer's recommendations, but the units are not operating to the level that Aeration Industries promised. The units are not producing proper oxygen levels in the oxidation ditches and therefore not meeting velocity requirements. Aeration Industries’ representatives have been to the water plant twice and have not yet provided a viable solution to the problem, the council was told.
A motion was passed to give Triad Associates permission to send a letter in the Syracuse Council’s name to Crosby Construction to pass on to Aeration Industries stating that company has two weeks to come up with a viable solution to the problematic equipment.
Syracuse Fire Department Capt. Brian Richcreek provided the fire territory’s monthly report. The fire department met with a representative from its billing company in regards to its EMS billing. The EMS representative advised them that the Syracuse Fire Department EMS rates are currently in line with their other Indiana clients. Richcreek also reported that their current average revenue per run is above average at $363.06, which takes into account Medicaid and Medicare write-offs and discounts. The representative advised them that they are above average due to the fact that the Syracuse EMS personnel are documenting their reports correctly and also are submitting all necessary paperwork appropriately for their runs.
Council President Larry Siegel asked the council for their direction on how to vote at Monday night’s meeting in which the Fire Territory budget will be discussed. There were still some hesitations revolving around what $130,000 of the budget listed as improvements was for, since estimates for the proposed costs or an itemized list of said budget had not been provided to the town council.
Richcreek noted that a contractor had been to the station that day, before the meeting, but quotes from said visit would most likely not be ready for Monday’s meeting. Fund appropriation was brought up as a potential way to get the budget approved.
The annual portable fire extinguisher inspections found that four were out of date and needed to be taken out of service. The fire department is currently getting quotes on replacements.
Town Manager Henry DeJulia opened a discussion about a potential refunding of the water works bonds from 2005.
He also presented a recommendation of a company to complete a comprehensive plan for the town. A motion was passed to take the services of American Structurepoint for $25,150 to be finished by Dec. 31.
A member of the public berated the town for how many housing violations were on the books, suggesting that the violations needed to be addressed. Police Chief James Layne explained that a three-step process was already in place: a verbal warning, a written letter and finally a citation. The same public individual also stated that a safe area for semi truck parking was needed.
Public Works Superintendent Rob Merchant updated the council on several issues.
Upon putting the UV system into operation after concrete housing was recently constructed, Merchant discovered the system was backing up. Upon further inspection by Triad Associates Inc. and R.E. Crosby Construction, it was discovered that the housing structure, put in place by a secondary company, was made 1.1 feet too high. The mistake was caused by a typo in specifications by the manufacturer. Merchant noted that Crosby agreed to take ownership of the problem and make whatever constructional adjustments were necessary to fix the issue.
Merchant also said he would feel comfortable if Crosby were to provide a warranty for the structure and if the solution that Crosby came up with was looked over by a third party. A Crosby representative asked that the issue be discussed in detail at an alternative date. This was agreed upon by the council and Merchant.
A second problem also was discovered involving recently installed aeration units in the plant oxidation ditches. Crosby installed Aire-O2 Triton Process Aerator Mixer units from Aeration Industries according to the manufacturer's recommendations, but the units are not operating to the level that Aeration Industries promised. The units are not producing proper oxygen levels in the oxidation ditches and therefore not meeting velocity requirements. Aeration Industries’ representatives have been to the water plant twice and have not yet provided a viable solution to the problem, the council was told.
A motion was passed to give Triad Associates permission to send a letter in the Syracuse Council’s name to Crosby Construction to pass on to Aeration Industries stating that company has two weeks to come up with a viable solution to the problematic equipment.
Syracuse Fire Department Capt. Brian Richcreek provided the fire territory’s monthly report. The fire department met with a representative from its billing company in regards to its EMS billing. The EMS representative advised them that the Syracuse Fire Department EMS rates are currently in line with their other Indiana clients. Richcreek also reported that their current average revenue per run is above average at $363.06, which takes into account Medicaid and Medicare write-offs and discounts. The representative advised them that they are above average due to the fact that the Syracuse EMS personnel are documenting their reports correctly and also are submitting all necessary paperwork appropriately for their runs.
Council President Larry Siegel asked the council for their direction on how to vote at Monday night’s meeting in which the Fire Territory budget will be discussed. There were still some hesitations revolving around what $130,000 of the budget listed as improvements was for, since estimates for the proposed costs or an itemized list of said budget had not been provided to the town council.
Richcreek noted that a contractor had been to the station that day, before the meeting, but quotes from said visit would most likely not be ready for Monday’s meeting. Fund appropriation was brought up as a potential way to get the budget approved.
The annual portable fire extinguisher inspections found that four were out of date and needed to be taken out of service. The fire department is currently getting quotes on replacements.
Town Manager Henry DeJulia opened a discussion about a potential refunding of the water works bonds from 2005.
He also presented a recommendation of a company to complete a comprehensive plan for the town. A motion was passed to take the services of American Structurepoint for $25,150 to be finished by Dec. 31.
A member of the public berated the town for how many housing violations were on the books, suggesting that the violations needed to be addressed. Police Chief James Layne explained that a three-step process was already in place: a verbal warning, a written letter and finally a citation. The same public individual also stated that a safe area for semi truck parking was needed.
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