Contract with Moore Mills reestablished after two years

Under the stewardship of Chief Wastewater Operator III , Ardith Lewis, a new contract has been negotiated with Moore Mills to reestablish spraying and spreading sludge on Moore Mill property.

For nearly twenty years Moore Mills allowed Lakeside’s wastewater plant to dump bio-solids on their property at the top of Hilltop Drive. Two years ago permission was revoked because of trees dying due to excessive spreading in the same spot.

Not having to pay Roto-Rooter to remove and dump the sludge elsewhere is a saving. The plant again has the sludge truck in good working order and a place to dump. The dumping will begin in May.

New lawn tractor

A new lawn tractor has been purchased after trying out several, acquiring the necessary bids, and choosing from them. There was two and half hours of use on the new lawn tractor and a two year warranty.

Pump stations

After the legal bidding process was followed and Portland Engineering was awarded the contract they will retrofit the pump stations making them more efficient and requiring less call out time. The antiquated system will be upgraded to modern standards of a telemetry system.

Well monitoring

SHN Engineering, a local business, has started a quarterly sampling of the airport reclamation site, monitoring wells.

OSHA

Oscar Vega, the City County insurance risk management consultant, who gave the plant high marks for safety, conducted a pre-OSHA inspection.  Sheila Heley, wife of the former sewer superintendent, applauded the good news. A new mat has been installed in the lab for safety and proper signage is now being installed.

Raymond McKinley, a wastewater I, from Sweet Home has been hired as an entry-level wastwater operator.

Lewis received a six percent raise in salary, as is customary on successful completion of the probationary period.

Lewis presented the council with justification for a raise for one of the Wastewater Operator’s. On his own initiative he had taken a class and demonstrated that he could conduct a test done on a regular basis at the plant. The plant had previously hired out for the particular test. The council agreed with the justification and gave him a dollar raise.

Ardith Lewis gives sewer reports monthly at the city council meetings. She welcomes questions at the meetings or she can be reached at 541-759-2909.