Published: April 23, 2008 06:17 am      

Veedersburg improves water supply

Council OKs use of new treatment product

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — The town council approved using new re-ox product in drinking water treatment system beginning in August.

Nick Stanley from Water Solutions of St. Augustine, Fla., spoke to the town council Tuesday night about the benefits of using re-ox versus traditional phosphates in mineral deposit control.

Stanley explained that “it is 10 times better than phosphates at handling iron buildup in pipes and tanks.”

The amount of chlorine the town uses to treat drinking water would also be reduced.

The taste of the water has been said to be the same or in some cases better. Re-ox in the water would help to remove the brown rings in tubs and toilets.

Councilman Chris Rahm was interested in the price difference.

Stanley explained that currently re-ox is about 20 percent more expensive than phosphates, but the price of re-ox is pretty stable whereas the price of phosphates is on the increase due to increased demand in other markets of use.

Stanley went on to guarantee the price of re-ox at $8.50 per gallon for two years if the council approves it.

The town voted to accept a three-month trial period of using re-ox in the water treatment process beginning in August. The town will only pay the $750 permit required for the chemicals use if they are satisfied with the results. Water Solutions also will provide any equipment and training.

“It sounds like a good idea, and we don’t lose any money if we don’t like the results,” Rahm said.

Stanley explained that wait time is due to the how long it takes to get the permit.

In other business, council members:

-- Accepted the bid of $13,000 from Environmental Equipment Inc. of Covington for the purchase of four sewage lift stations that includes the grinder pumps, tanks and all other necessary equipment.

The town also received a bid from Connor Company of Danville for $16,227.27.

-- Reviewed a list of streets provided by Superintendent Paul Keeling outlining the streets in most need of replacement. The council told Keeling to begin the process of getting bids for the street work.

-- Discussed the pit bull dog problem, but made no decisions as to what more can be done. Town Marshal Neil Beck asked the council to still consider an ordinance banning pit bulls from town.

-- Discussed the difficulty the town has at retaining police officers for more than a year or two.

The council explained there is no money available at this time for their retirement, and often times police officers move on to better paying positions in larger municipalities.

-- Learned from Tori Current, Hub Park pool manager, the pricing and schedule for this year.

One-day admission to the pool is $2 for adults and $1.50 for children. Season passes are $40 for an individual and $85 for a family of four. Families with more than four members pay an additional $10 more per member.

Current said she hopes to have the pool open for the season by Memorial Day, May 28. The pool will close for the season Aug. 10.

On Sundays the pool will be open from 1-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays the pool will be open from noon to 5 p.m.

-- Learned the two young kids that painted on the playground equipment at the Hub Park will have to help remove the paint from the equipment.

-- Discussed the next step in sidewalks for downtown is to get an engineer to make plans for such a project.

-- Approved paying two hours pay to the town’s animal control officer, Jim Abernathy, for every town council meeting he attends just like the town’s other department heads.

-- Viewed a possible Veedersburg welcome arch that was presented by town council President Ken Smith.

-- Approved a change order from Campbell’s Excavating of Veedersburg in the amount of $11,868.73 for extra time and labor on the sewer project.

-- Hired Eric Van Dorn full time with the town’s electric department.

-- Approved four handicap parking spots on Main Street and one spot on Railroad Street.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Veedersburg Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. EDT May 13 at the Veedersburg Municipal Building.