Firth staff weigh buying sewer‑scoping camera; board also approves parking‑lot restriping

A staff member reported maintenance updates to the Firth Village Board and urged the board to consider buying equipment to scope sewer lines in‑house to reduce contractor costs.

The staff update relayed that nitrates in local water were down and that the sewage/detention pond is being monitored. Crack‑sealing work was expected to begin depending on weather. The board discussed recent costs of hiring contractors to video and scope manholes and sewer lines; the staff summarized that a single scope run can cost several thousand dollars. They proposed investigating acquisition of a camera system (including use of GoPro‑type cameras and in‑house videoing) so staff could diagnose problems without repeatedly hiring outside vendors.

Board members pressed for cost estimates. The discussion noted tradeoffs: manhole entry and full pipe inspection remain more complex and may still require specialists, while a camera could flag obvious problems and reduce the number of contracted inspections. No purchase decision was recorded in the transcript; staff said they would gather cost estimates and present them later.

Separately, the board reviewed a bid to repaint downtown parking‑lot lines and curb paint. A contractor who had done the work previously quoted approximately $500 to restripe existing lines and handicap stalls; the board moved, seconded and approved contracting Husker Lawn and Tree to repaint current lines and curb areas.

Next steps include staff returning with cost estimates for the sewer‑scoping equipment and scheduling the restriping work when town activity is low.