By DENISE R. FREELAND
News Leader Staff Writer
Service Director Steve Jackson reported to Minerva Village Council at its meeting Feb. 23, that the village's water and sewer plants both need work.
The water plant needs a new standby generator and upgrades to its chlorine room, Jackson said. He explained the plant's current generator "spit out a bunch of oil" the last time it was used, and the EPA requires that the chlorine room be a sealed room with an outside entrance.
Jackson explained that the fine screen at the sewer plant sometimes gets plugged at night and water overflows onto the floor. There is no place for the water to drain to, other than a trough in the floor, and it often drains into the crack along the cinderblock wall, which is deteriorating.
Jackson said two contractors have looked at the building and one said he did not feel safe in the building.
"It's in pretty bad shape," Jackson said.
Councilman John Shipman noted a steel beam at the plant is also deteriorating, and Jackson explained methane gas eats at metal in the facility.
He said one contractor suggested installing a curbing system to keep the overflow away from the walls, a solution he said would be a "bandaid."
Mayor James Waller asked how the building could be rebuilt while keeping the sewer plant running. Jackson suggested possibly building a pole building around the existing cement-block building, then tearing down the current building.
"Thanks for all the good news," Waller said.
Waller reported the Stark County Council of Governments has asked council to endorse the proposal for a centralized 911 dispatch center serving Stark County.
Waller said the county's estimate that the center would save Minerva $230,000 is "total crap."
Minerva Volunteer Fire Department Chief Aaron Stoller explained that Minerva would still have to maintain its round-the-clock dispatch center to handle non-emergency calls, resulting in no savings for the village. He also noted the cost to municipalities will depend on how many participate in the system.
Councilwoman Billie Rowe asked if something can be done about the sound system in council chambers, which she said "stinks." Rowe said it is difficult to hear people speak on the broadcast meetings and there is a background hum.
Waller said Jackson has asked Minerva Music Center owner Dave Krajcik to look at the system.
In other business, council:
* AUTHORIZED Harp to file an application with the Carroll County Board of Commissioners for the 2010 Carroll County Community Development Block Grant.
* APPOINTED Charles Brown to the Park Board.
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