Jones & Henry Senior Engineer John Magsam.

CLAYPOOL — John Magsam, senior engineer of Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd., Fort Wayne, was present with Jeff Hersha to give a summary of the permit updates to Claypool’s wastewater treatment plant at the Nov. 20 town council meeting.

In 2016, Magsam submitted a written progress report to the Compliance Data Section of Water Quality to schedule compliance of the elimination of ammonia-nitrogen for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System that has to be updated every five years.

Town employee Danny Warner has been monitoring ammonia and phosphorous levels for the last decade. The new permit will add limits to these levels.

In August, a study was initiated to identify how to meet the new limits. Magsam stated that around seven different options were identified before one was chosen. To help circulate water through the wastewater ponds, baffles will be added to both ponds. Magsam is hopeful the baffles will help eliminate some of the sludge that has accumulated. IDEM has approved the permit.

Construction for the project should begin in May 2018 and completed within a year.

In other business:

• It was the public hearing for the burn ordinance introduced last meeting. The ordinance was approved by the board. If you have questions, contact clerk-treasurer Pat Warner at (574) 566-2910.
• The board approved for Gene Warner to attend the American Water Works Association conference Jan. 22-25, 2018.
• Gene advised that the road sealing is almost completed.
• Town marshal Ben Sanders informed the board that Ken Allen is no longer a reserve officer.
• Miller and Pat approved the payment of services to Fay Neher for closing the cemetery gate.