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Town transitions certified operator, approves raises for utility staff and accepts $10,000 autosampler grant
Summary
Council agreed to send a letter to outgoing contracted operator Brett, pursue salary-ordinance amendments to raise in-house utility staff pay (Austin and Joe +$1/hr; Connor +$2/hr per certification), and moved to allocate a $10,000 Rising Sun grant (with ~$1,500 local match) to buy a wastewater autosampler; council also authorized pursuing Vine Street stormwater grant quotes.
Council discussed transitioning from a contracted certified operator (Brett) to in‑house certified staff. Staff said Brett requires a 30‑day notice to terminate and that Connor plans to remain until the end of August while he completes additional training.
A council member moved to send a letter to Brett thanking him for his service and providing appropriate notice; the motion was seconded and recorded.
Separately, staff requested a salary ordinance amendment: a $1/hour raise for Austin and Joe and a $2/hour raise for Connor for each certification he attains. Council members supported the adjustment and a motion to approve the salary ordinance amendment was made and seconded.
On capital and grant items, utilities staff said the town received a $10,000 award from Rising Sun toward an autosampler purchase (total cost about $11,000 with freight removed); the town's share is approximately $1,500 for site prep and enclosure. A motion to allocate the grant to the project was moved and seconded in the meeting.
Staff also asked permission to pursue a separate stormwater grant for Vine Street basin cleaning and televising (estimated project cost around $11,300 and a potential one‑third local share), and council agreed to gather quotes and pursue funding before winter.
