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Bellechester delays sewer lining, approves well‑house upgrades and updates water projects
Summary
Council heard delays in sewer-lining work, approved poly liners for both well houses using COVID funds, and received updates that water-meter installations are pending arrival of meters with completion anticipated in December; Bolten & Menk will forward lead-service inventory data to the Department of Health.
The Bellechester City Council on Aug. 21 was told the sewer-lining contractor has not yet started work and approved emergency and maintenance steps for the city’s water system.
City staff and contractors reported that VisuSewer has not performed scheduled sewer-lining work and that Musel Brothers, handling lateral lining, found internal issues caused in part by piping angles. The engineering firm Bolten & Menk has been engaged to review the defects; council members said a meeting with the firm is scheduled next week to resolve the problems.
The council approved installation of poly liners in both well houses to address maintenance needs, authorizing the expenditure with COVID-relief funds (motion by Rich Majerus, second by Jered Buxengard; motion carried). The minutes note a contingency plan exists to cover any extra work on the sewer lining if required.
City staff also updated the council on the water-meter replacement project. A preconstruction meeting has occurred; the vendor is awaiting delivery of meters, will contact residents to schedule installations, and anticipates project completion by December. Letters notifying residents have already been mailed.
In the engineer’s report, Bellechester recorded that its lead service-line inventory for the town is complete and appears robust. Bolten & Menk will transmit that inventory data to the Department of Health, and the city will notify property owners as required based on findings.
Utility staff reported ongoing work locating water shutoffs (some fittings were found bent) and that several well issues are being addressed by maintenance personnel. The council’s action to approve well-house poly liners is the most immediate maintenance step recorded in the minutes.
Next steps: Bolten & Menk will meet with contractors to resolve lining-angle issues; the city will proceed with ordering and installing meters when they arrive and will notify homeowners about lead-line findings per Department of Health guidance.
