Ironton receives detailed wastewater-plant renovation update; council praises $1.5M in savings

John Haskins, introduced to the council as an invited presenter, gave a project-by-project update on wastewater-plant renovations and associated capital equipment. He said five projects were removed from the active list because of funding constraints, two projects are complete, a third is in progress, and the remaining work is scheduled across 2026–2027. He cited delivery dates and equipment purchases: an excavator and attachments scheduled for delivery the following Monday, a dump truck delivered June 3, and an equipment trailer picked up May 29.

Haskins described using savings from competitive bidding and in-house work to reallocate funds: "We get, at $1,500,000 worth of projects done in house...we're saving the citizens a 100 and $1,000,000 in these upgrades," a council member said in praise during the discussion. Haskins proposed using part of those savings to buy a utility vehicle ("gator") for grounds and pipe-yard spraying to improve safety and efficiency; staff recommended creating a new line item and reappropriating savings. Council members asked for photos to show before-and-after work to residents and discussed scheduling a plant tour or future update.

The presentation also noted a small emergency purchase (around $7,000) to replace a gas detector and smart valve after a chlorine-gas–related issue, and that several components remain on order with deliveries expected late summer and early fall. Haskins and council members agreed to return with more visuals and scheduling details for public information.