Commission asks staff to cost options to restore hydrant function at Fireman's Park

Commissioners discussed a nonfunctioning fire hydrant at Fireman's Park during the Feb. 12 Cottage Grove Utility Commission meeting and asked staff to research repair options and costs.

The chair explained the hydrant adjacent to the Parks & Rec storage building is routinely shut off during winter because a 1-inch service line to the concession stand is in poor condition and exposed in places. The chair said the storage shed contains about $200,000 worth of equipment and trucks and that making the hydrant usable without risking the small service line is a priority. "I just wanna get a curb stop. So if there's a problem at that building, we can put the fire out without having to go half a block away to get a hydrant," the chair said.

Utility staff reported the hydrant is served from the Bass Street main and that the 1-inch feed to the concession stand lacks a service valve, so the crew currently shuts the entire hydrant valve off to protect the old line from freezing. Staff said the 1-inch line is buried about 2 feet deep in parts and runs under asphalt in the park, which increases replacement costs and may require asphalt repair.

Commissioners asked staff to provide two cost estimates: (1) to install a curb stop (service valve) after the hydrant so the hydrant could remain operable while isolating the poor service line, and (2) to fully replace the service line (including asphalt restoration). Staff said it would look into options, possible contractor techniques (such as pulling a new line through the old pipe), and timing, and would return with estimates at the March meeting.