With construction winding down, Byrdstown Aldermen discussed several remaining concerns Monday night on the town’s water treatment plant project.
Engineering Consultant Zeda Hillis said they have supplied a punch list to the contractor for the sedimentation basin. Hillis said the punch list is extensive.
“We’ll get them back up here soon” Hillis said. “They’re not going to get paid until they complete their punch list. (Consulting Engineer) Nathaniel (Green) is providing, he sent some more information to Fay and to the development district for the ARC CDBG grant.”
Among other things on the punch list, Mayor Sam Gibson said a sinkhole has developed in the far corner of the water plant. Gibson said the board is looking into whether or not blasting at the water plant is to blame.
“They’ll have to address that or Nathaniel will have to look at it and see if it was related to the blasting or if it’s rain or runoff or just something that’s created,” Hillis said. “But yeah, he did take photos of that when he was up there looking at it.”
Water Department Director Buster Harmon said the blasting started over a year ago and the sinkhole only emerged recently.
Harmon said the upgrades have changed the amount of chemicals needed.
“I’ve cut back on chemicals where we don’t need it to get the numbers we need,” Harmon said. “It’s really done really good. I’m tickled with it.”
In other business, the board also discussed updates to the stage in the center of town. Mayor Gibson said the 25-foot stage will be complete before Independence Day celebrations on July 4.
Mayor Gibson also said the city is starting to raise their sewer and water rates between five and ten percent to cover rising depreciation costs. Gibson said a rate study from an independent third party will help forecast the city’s future finances.
