Bismarck discusses wastewater treatment plant
BISMARCK — A measure that would put a bond issue on the February ballot to finance a new wastewater treatment plant for Bismarck was discussed, but not voted at last week’s board of aldermen meeting. A special meeting has been set for Thursday to discuss the bond issue further.
The city’s current treatment plant is not acceptable, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Sludge and sewage runoff into a nearby stream has prompted DNR to give Bismarck a time frame in which it must correct the plant’s problems.
“If we don’t comply, we will start having to pay fines with taxpayer money,” said Mayor Dennis Mayberry in a previous interview. “We don’t want that to happen. We don’t want to have to take away from anything that we are trying to do in order to pay these fines.”
The proposed new wastewater treatment plant has an estimated price tag of $5.4 million. Currently Bismarck’s population is 1,500. The proposed plant is capable of treating waste from as many as 4,000 people.
In other matters discussed on Thursday, Rick Wisdom of the Bismarck Assembly of God Church made a request to lower the speed limit on Veterans Drive from 30 miles-per-hour to 15 miles-per-hour during church services. The board took the request under consideration, but did not take action.
The employee Christmas dinner will be held on Dec. 12 at the community building. The board also approved Christmas bonuses for city employees. Full-time employees will receive $100 while part-time employees will be getting $50.
An ordinance that will increase late fee and reconnect fees for water service was also discussed. It’s been proposed to increase the late fee from $1 to $5 and to increase the reconnect fee from $15 to $20. No action was taken on the proposal.
The city’s annual Christmas tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5 in front of the Bismarck Depot.
Under old business Police Chief Dave Dickerson reported to the board that his department had sent out three notices to residents who were not complying with the city’s ordinance concerning parking limitations on disabled and damaged vehicles.
In closed session the board promoted Joe Cerchil to full-time status as member of the maintenance department.
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.
