Board approves wastewater pump purchase, roof contract and schedules sewer inspection following storm damage

Trustees approved several maintenance and infrastructure actions at the Sept. 2 meeting as part of ongoing efforts to address aging systems and recent storm damage.

The board authorized purchase of a replacement Stenner chemical pump for the wastewater plant from Hawkins Inc. for $925 after reviewing three quotes (USA Blue Book $1,277.18; J&R $1,260.00; Hawkins $925). Trustees said pump failure would cause significant plant problems and approved the purchase on a motion by Al Mergen.

For the ballpark pavilion roof, two bids were presented: Silas Longlow’s Platte River Carpentry for $10,850 and local contractor John Klein for $7,780. With $7,126.50 available in the ballpark light fund, trustees awarded the contract to John Klein and authorized roof work this fall to complete repairs before winter.

Trustees also approved hiring Tom Kleiber from Shullsburg to camera the sewer main along the main highway to the wastewater treatment plant, noting a minimum service of 1,000 feet for $1,000. McLimans said the inspection may reveal infiltration and other issues; the decision followed discovery of lead pipes during Canal Street work that required three days to fix the service. McLimans reported the village has 21 homes with galvanized pipes and possibly more with lead service lines and said the state will require replacement of galvanized and lead pipes within the next 10 years, with the DNR possibly accelerating timelines.

The board also reported FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessment material submitted after the Aug. 8–9 storm; estimated village damage was approximately $6,000 (generator problems, Fourth Street drainage tile, and park ditch bank erosion). Emergency Management confirmed the county submission was satisfactory, and next steps include FEMA reviewing damage with before-and-after photos.