Lakeland Sewer Board Approves Auger Replacement
By Shelby Harrell
and Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — The Lakeland Regional Sewer District convened on Wednesday, May 18, to discuss maintenance issues and scheduling for preventative measures.
According to Board President Jim Haney, a replacement auger has been ordered by the board to repair the sewer system’s screen. Tom Astbury, director of business development for Astbury Water Technology, the company contracted to maintain the sewer district, reported one vendor provided a quote for $19,000.
Haskins Underground, of Plymouth, whose services are frequently used by the board, quoted a cost of $7,500 in contrast. “Given how busy they are, we’re lucky we have this good relationship with Haskins,” said Astbury. “They won’t do work with a lot of other districts.”
The total repair time will be three days. “We will need one day to pull it, one day to fix it and one day to put it back in,” said Josh Coon, a co-worker of Astbury’s.
Coon explained the installation of this new auger will increase operation efficiency significantly.
The board discussed discrepancies in the flow meter’s influent and effluent readings, which were reported to be off by 25% to 30%. The estimated cost to repair the meters is $5,500. The board voted to procure installation and calibration through Astbury, at a cost not to exceed $5,500.
The board discussed at length the prospects of purchasing new pumps and control panels for the so there would be extra on hand should they be needed.
Haney asked if the owner of Lakelife Bar & Grill was in the audience. He explained the restaurant owner was questioning the rates charged to his business. Haney said from his point of view the rates were a “fair and equitable way to charge retail businesses and restaurants.”
Discussion then turned to lift stations with dual pumps. Board members questioned if there was a way for Astbury to be warned if one pump went down before the second pump ran into problems. Several board members were concerned having a duplex lift station go down and causing a business to have to shut down unexpectedly.
After several minutes of discussion it was decided to have Astbury inspect three duplex pumps on a regular monthly basis. If needed the number of duplex pumps being inspected may increase.
Haney noted there are three properties expected to connect to the system this year. The first one is expected to be connected on Monday, May 23. However, the daughter of property owner sent a written request for an extension for connection. Her father passed a few years ago and her mother has been in failing health. In her letter, the daughter admitted she received a certified letter from the sewer district, recognized she had an obligation to get the property connected, but was not able to get it done in the time allowed. She requested an extension.
After some discussion, the board voted 6 to 1 to not provide an extension saying the property owner or their representative could come before the board after the connection was completed and request the failure to connect fee be waived.
The board approved April’s expenditures, which totaled $48,812, much of which was devoted to maintenance.
The board also approved a change in their meeting agenda to allow more time to address public questions and concerns toward each meeting’s beginning. Members of the public who wish to comment will be required to sign in by providing their name and road they live on.