Board to purchase suction truck
During the March Leadwood Board of Aldermen open meeting, the board discussed the purchase of a suction truck from Rick Paul, who they normally contract with to clean up grinder pumps.
If they bought the truck then they wouldn’t have to rely on their contractor every time a grinder pump, which stores wastewater and sewage near residences, needed to be cleaned. They could instead do it on a scheduled basis.
Officials indicated paying Paul every time is costly and unreliable.
“We have probably more grinder [pumps] than any city around,” Mayor Dennis Parks said.
“As long as we get a routine on the grinders, and we start doing it on a regular basis rather than when one is broken down, it will save us money,” Alderman John Vickers said. “If we just get a routine of those problem spots, within two years, we’d have our money back.”
Another factor they considered was where to land apply the sludge pumped into the tank on the suction truck, which is usually used to help fertilize large fields.
“Somebody will need to check in where we’re going to haul the sludge out,” Alderman Charlie Lewis pointed out. “Will we still put it with [Paul’s choice]? Or do we do it on Doe Run’s property? I’m sure they would want it, because they would want the grass to take off up there.”
Though no price has been set definitely yet, the cost Paul was asking for was $15,000, which must be pulled from a fund that still leaves room for emergency situations.
“I could get a loan,” Parks speculated.
They board approved the purchase, and to look into a lease purchase if needed.
Another issue voted on was whether to pay for rocks to cover up the holes in the foundation of the water plant that have been making the road outside of it muddy.
“There’s a leak there,” Parks said, to challenge the assumption that it was a spotty foundation causing the road to become muddy.
The two lines leading to the treatment plant had been tested, however.
Water Operator Kevin Brooks said that the a listening device was used on the cast-iron line, and that it was quiet.
“And then (we) took the ground probe and probed around in the three-quarter inch line,” he said. “There was no leak.”
Despite Parks’ concerns, a motion was made, and the rock was approved for $500.
They talked about what to do about a resident not paying their water bills, which used to be the responsibility of the landlord.
As of 2018, “if they don’t pay now, we shut off their water,” Parks said.
They decided to send a letter to the resident who hadn’t paid.
The Leadwood Board of Aldermen will purchase a suction truck for the city, which had normally been used as-needed by paying Rick Paul. Pictured (from left to right) are Alderman John Vickers, Alderman David Henry, City Clerk Kendra Boyer, Mayor Dennis Parks, Alderwoman Anna Woods. (Alderman Charlie Lewis is not pictured.)
Matthew Morey is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3617, or at mmorey@dailyjournalonline.com.
