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SIDNEY — The Sidney Town Council heard about issues with the wastewater treatment system at the town council meeting on Monday, Nov. 10.
Tim Woodward, who manages the wastewater plant and sewer system, began the meeting by telling the council that there are problems with both the UV system and the “E. Coli machine” and that he would like to discuss his contract.
Woodward stated that the issues with the UV system began in the fall, but fortunately it is a piece of machinery that they use seasonally from April to Oct. 31. The control panel likely needs rewired, but that would require mailing the panel to Oregon. Woodward let the council know that he has ballast replacements and bulbs and will be working on the machine to see if that improves it. He will be using this time before the machine needs to be back in use to work on it. This particular machine is no longer manufactured. This machine was purchased and has been in use for around 20 years.
Woodward also reported issues with the “E. Coli machine.”Woodward told the council that it would be $5,000 to buy an appropriate replacement. Because the manufacturer no longer produces that model, the town would need to evaluate and decide on a new E. Coli system for the replacement. Woodward bought the first one with his own money in 2001. He is going to see if he can get the machine fixed. This is fortunately another seasonal machine that stopped being used on Oct. 31, so Woodward has time to evaluate the issues and have work done on it.
Woodward also asked the council if they could provide him with a copy of the contract they signed with him in 2001. He could not find his copy, but he brought in an unsigned draft copy that he believed had been approved. That contract showed that he was supposed to be paid $2,000 monthly, when he is currently being paid $1,600. Woodward requested the opportunity to speak to the council about reworking the contract since it has been nearly 25 years since the original was approved.
Woodward also brought up that he is currently not being paid for emergencies. Additionally, he had concerns about being the only person who knows about the wastewater system in Sidney. He expressed that he is nervous that if something happened to him the town would be left with nobody. Additionally, if he is ever out of town, there is nobody who can indicate where sewer lines are or respond to emergencies. He does not feel that whoever works with him to learn the system and works on it when he is unavailable should be expected to do so for no pay.
Later in the meeting, Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe stated that she is going to get in contact with the Office of Community and Rural Affairs to ask if Sidney could request funding for their water plant.
Town Ordinance Violations
One open complaint from August was brought up at the beginning of the discussion on town ordinance violations. Since August, there had been more complaints made about the violating address. No fine had been given because “significant progress had been made,” according to Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Parrett. However, after three months it was not in line with the parameters of the town ordinances.
Council member Sharon Rancourt took issue with this. She told the council and attendees that she felt that this was unacceptable as a precedent. Rancourt said that the town ordinances spell out that community members are given 30 days to resolve the issue, not make progress on it.
Rancourt stated, “Everything has to be black and white.”
Council member Rebecca Adams chose to recuse herself on this topic.
The council voted to send a verified letter to this address and pursue next steps if not in line with town ordinances in 30 days.
Harold Lent brought up his complaint about Adams’ home and claimed that she was still breaking town ordinances.
Other
A credit/debit card reader was proposed but unanimously voted against by the council. One community member has requested it multiple times. It was presented at the last meeting but officially rejected at this meeting.
The council voted to use the property donated by Ben England for the planned park over the previous property the town had been considering. Roe presented the council with two bids for engineering and building the park. The council voted to go with the less expensive bid from HWC.
