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Village administrator reports water main break that caused temporary taste complaints; updates on reconstruction, equipment and holiday events
Summary
Village Administrator Francis told council a contractor ruptured a 6‑inch water main and a lime feeder failure at the plant caused temporary taste/odor complaints (fewer than 10), which operations corrected within 12–36 hours; he also reported N. East St. reconstruction progress, a failed sewer push camera with a $13,178.92 replacement estimate, and community event logistics for Hometown Christmas.
Village Administrator Francis reported multiple public‑works developments at the Oct. 23 Versailles council meeting, including a water distribution incident that briefly affected taste and odor in parts of the village.
Francis said a private contractor working after hours in a southwest subdivision “ripped through a 6‑inch water main (didn’t have a utility locate called in for the area),” which moved a large volume of water through the system. That event coincided with a lime feeder outage at the water plant that caused hardness and pH to go out of normal range for several hours. Francis told council the combination stirred the distribution system and prompted a handful of complaints — he said the village received fewer than 10 complaints and that “the water was still safe to drink and use.” He reported water quality returned to normal by Saturday morning after operations adjustments and said such system recoveries typically take 12–36 hours.
Francis also listed other ongoing and planned public‑works items: • N. East Street Reconstruction: existing roadway, curb and sidewalks were removed; new sanitary sewer and service lines and storm sewer improvements are complete; curb installation is underway, and pavement may be placed by the end of October or early November. • Sewer push camera: the Street Department’s camera failed; repairs may exceed $1,000 and a replacement unit is priced at $13,178.92 from Best Equipment. Remaining 2024 CIP funds are available to cover the purchase. • Street and downtown work: new asphalt for Rosecomb Estates Phase II is scheduled; sidewalk and trench repairs are wrapping up; downtown tree removals, stump grinding and future plantings were discussed. • Parks and events: Hometown Christmas is scheduled for Nov. 8 from 5 p.m.–8 p.m.; food trucks will be downtown from 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; the Ward Park pool shade canopy was donated and staff will install it in coming weeks. • Electric/transmission: staff had a video conference with AMP Transmission regarding potential routing of a new 69 kV transmission line loop and provided system mapping to assist routing decisions.
Francis advised that a traffic‑signal study by Choice One Engineering showed most village signals do not meet the traffic‑count warrants needed for state or federal replacement funding, limiting outside funding eligibility; council was advised to meet with ODOT District 7 to discuss Main Street signal concerns.
Fiscal Officer Kathy Ording reported that the State Auditor’s field work on the 2022–2023 audit is complete and that finalization will take a few more weeks. Committee notices and board meeting dates were also shared.
Council did not take formal action on most of these administrative updates; many are operational steps for staff and contractors to complete in the coming weeks.
