The Trenton Board of Public Works held a brief monthly meeting on Tuesday evening at Trenton City Hall.
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The Trenton Board of Public Works held a brief monthly meeting on Tuesday evening at Trenton City Hall.
Director Chad Davis told board members Trenton Municipal Utilities staff members have studied the draft wastewater plant operating permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and believe it is a fair permit. Davis said DNR has been receptive to requested changes by TMU and said the new permit includes some new requirements as well as some less restrictive older requirements. The new requirements involve testing for ammonia as well as testing for oil and grease in the wastewater. Davis said he feels the utility can meet the new requirements.
The new permit should be issued for five years and Davis feels TMU should have the final permit by the end of the year.
Davis said he plans to meet with representatives of the Grundy County Public Water Supply District concerning the possibility of supplying water to the city of Jamesport. Jamesport currently has a treatment plant but is planning to connect to the Livingston County Public Water Supply District No. 4 in Lock Springs to receive water. Davis said the utility and GCPWS district want to be sure they can be available to supply water to Jamesport if needed.
Davis also updated board members on water line work in the Little Woods Drive and Lake Manor Drive areas. The work is expected to cost around $75,000 and work to a lift station is estimated to cost approximately $78,000. Discussions have also begun on a sewer main upgrade in the area from Pauper Grade Road to Mable Street. Estimates are from $100,000 to $300,000 to make the repairs, depending on whether the improvements are a quick fix or repaired properly. The work would be started this budget year, but completed over several budget years. Board member Dr. David Ryan requested to meet with Davis at a different time to receive additional information concerning the allocation of funds during different budget years to specific projects.
Councilman Gary Hurst, representing the Trenton Sesquicentennial Committee, asked the board to consider a roundup program which would allow utility customers to round up their utility bills to the next whole dollar. Those additional funds would go to the committee to help pay for activities during the sesquicentennial celebration in 2007. Grundy Electric Cooperative has a roundup program and participation in a TMU program would be voluntary.
TMU Comptroller Kevin Kasinger said TMU billing software would not allow for the roundup and any program would have to be done manually by bookkeeping staff requiring additional time. Board President Phil Hoffman said he hoped TMU would be able to help support the celebration in other ways and Davis said TMU staff are helping currently. The board took no action.
In other issues, the board discussed the cost of new billing and accounting software and it was noted the current system is eight years old. Kasinger said he hopes to have the electric rate study completed in time for next month’s meeting, which is scheduled for Dec. 27.