LEESBURG — Sewer issues and changes regarding maintenance of the municipal sewer system were discussed at the Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday.
Tenney & Sons were called to Leesburg Elementary School recently due to septic issues. Derek Tenney said both pumps were completely shot.
The two E/One pumps were installed at the elementary at the beginning of the school year.
“They all saw the foreign items that were in the pumps,” Tenney said. “I’ve told them numerous times those should not be there, so they are very well aware of that and are trying to correct it inside the school as much as they can, which is a very hard thing to do.”
Council President Tom Moore pointed out that it would be impossible to completely stop the flushing of items such as pencils, pens and erasers at the school.
“You’re not gonna curtail the flushing of unwanted stuff from the inside. That’s just not gonna happen. We can tell school staff to stop it, but that’s not going to work either,” Moore said.
It was agreed that the best solution would be to change pump manufacturers.
Moore said Barnes pumps have a different drive system and a different impeller system that eliminates the issue with extra debris.
Council approved a motion to purchase two Barnes septic pumps at a cost of $7,052.50 plus shipping. The pumps will be put in at the school and will replace the two E/One pumps currently being used. Moore and Tenney agreed that, although the Barnes pumps are more expensive, they are of better quality and should last longer.
Council also approved a motion to accept a three-year contract proposal from Astbury for services of the municipal sewer system with an effective date of April 1.
“I want to acknowledge publicly Derek Tenney representing his company here with us and has been for a long time. The decision is definitely not personal, but we need to prepare for the future, and I’m of the opinion that it’s a step that needs to be made for everyone’s benefit, including Derek,” Moore said.
“Tenney & Sons, Derek and Danny, have taken good care of us to the best of their ability,” Councilman Mitch Rader said. “We certainly appreciate them sticking with Leesburg and taking care of us.”
“A lot of years of thank you’s, Derek,” Moore said. “A lot of years of thank you’s.”
Motion was approved for Moore to be the designee to sign the Astbury contract.
In other news:
• Air purification equipment for the main pumping station has been ordered. Delivery is 10-12 weeks out.
• Council received notice from the Community Crossing Grant Program that Leesburg has been awarded a grant in the amount of $71,948.10 for street paving projects.
• Council discussed the possibility of entering into a Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) agreement. Council Vice President Christina Archer said that although the town would not receive grant money directly from KEDCO, the company could help connect the town with grant resources. Moore pointed out that a KEDCO agreement comes with an annual fee of $3,250. Council agreed to continue discussion on this subject over the next couple of months before making any decision.
• Reminders: No parking on any street between 3-5 a.m. (this applies all seven days of the week): No burning anything anytime; be mindful of what you flush.
The next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. April 14.