From left: Don Neff, Matt Rippey and Dan Fox, of Astbury Water Technology Inc., will be overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Lakeland Regional Sewer District’s new wastewater treatment plant. They were introduced at a meeting of the LRSD board on Thursday, Feb. 2. (Photo by David Hazledine)

NORTH WEBSTER — The Lakeland Regional Sewer District continued with the business of pay applications and action items as it edges closer to substantial completion of all four areas of construction. The resignation of John McDaniel was also announced at the board’s monthly meeting, 6 p.m., Thursday at the North Webster Community Center.

Jim Haney, board president, expressed the board’s appreciation of McDaniel’s dedication. McDaniel served for three years. Anyone who has an interest in filling the vacant seat must contact the district office by Friday, Feb. 10. Candidates must either own property in the district or be an elected official representing the district.

Conversely, the board welcomed Astbury Water Technology employees Don Neff, Matt Rippey and Dan Fox, operators of the new wastewater treatment plant. Fox said the three were looking forward to working in the “impressive” new facility.

The board passed a number of motions at Thursday’s meeting:

Pay applications to Seldge Construction and Advanced Technologies were approved. Seldge received $5,148.83 for work on Contract A, now 99 percent complete, and $26,040 for work on Contract B. Seldge was also paid $11,041.91 in a change order for the salvage of equipment left over from grinder station work. Advanced Technologies reached substantial completion of Contract C on Jan. 13 and was paid a partial retainage release of $46,248.28 and another $141,813.69. DLZ’s invoice was for $16,278.75. The board also passed a motion approving post construction invoicing for DLZ not to exceed $50,000. Finally, a pay application to Ice Miller Bond Counsel was approved for $22,960.86.

A special meeting to approve substantial completion documents for Contract A and the wastewater treatment plant was scheduled for 5 p.m., Feb. 13 at the North Webster Community Center.

Another motion passed approving the development of a construction specifications and standards manual, which will include connection instructions, a draft of which can be found on the district’s website, lakelandrsd.com.

During treasury reports, Jennifer Ransbottom of Jones, Petrie, Rafinski Corporation, who is handling collections for the district, informed the board “several liens got paid,” amounting to $6,635.64. Treasurer Mike DeWald expressed his surprise at the “better collections ratio than I was expecting.

Dewald also reminded the board LRSD is no longer a “little village.” “It’s changed dramatically from what it was,” he observed. A first bond payment of $49,673 was made and each month LRSD is required to deposit $65,185.

DeWald was given approval to procure bond insurance for board members with bank account access not to exceed $7500 as well as errors and omissions insurance for board members at a cost of $1,500.

After exhausting funds to be paid to rate consultant HJ Umbaugh and Associates twice, an “absolute last” amount of $62,712 was approved by the board, following Umbaugh’s work securing the 2016 interest rate on its USDA loan. The loan will close out in April.

The board also approved the preparation of quotes for items on the USDA contingency funds list.

The sale of unused items such as leftover grinder pumps was authorized by the LRSD in ordinance 2017-7.