Russellville battles water worries, old equipment

Saturday, December 16, 2006
Friday's mild weather brought out the skaters Friday afternoon in Robe-Ann Park. Among the skateboarders was Nick Summerlot of Greencastle, who enjoyed doing air outs on his BMX bike.

Concerns with the water system and plant issues come to a head during the Russellville Town Council meeting Thursday.

Water Supt. Mike Varvel informed council president Sally Spencer McAfee and council member Jim Rodgers that several problems and issues occurred during the past month at the water plant, ranging from the water flow meter failing to the number one well not keeping up with the system to the water tower pressure gauge not working.

Varvel also said the electrodes in the well filters failed, the chlorinator failed twice and the entire electrical system failed. But even with all those problems happening at once, Varvel was able to keep the water system running.

After his team was able to get the electrical system on line, Varvel said, "We've designed a new system that will run the plant with a microcomputer and it will eliminate all that old stuff down there."

This design idea will have to wait until the water department has more funding. "The equipment's picked out, so its ready to go with that," Varvel said.

Resident Vic Pevler informed the council and Varvel that he was experiencing some issues with the water currently flowing through the system. The problem Pevler is experiencing is a hard build up of solid crystalized lime in the bottom of his water heaters.

Pevler asked Varvel if the water department was adding some type of chemical that caused the lime to become solid in form, instead of staying as a liquid as it has done in the past.

Varvel believes the problem stems from switching from the number two well to the number one well. He said that when the department first started using the number one well, the level of hardness was very high. Once the department flushed the well after it was not able to keep up with the system, Varvel said he noticed the hardness level drop.

Varvel also said that the department was planning on cleaning the other well in the spring, and hopefully the town will notice a difference in the water quality.

In other business, the council:

* Decided to leave the issue with the Caldwell trailer, which was damaged during a storm, in the hands of the town's lawyer.

* Informed the public that the town would be having "Christmas Around Our Town" on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 6-9 p.m. In front of the bank at the intersection of Railroad and Harrison streets will be block off due people walking back and forth between the fire department and the depot.

People who park along Harrison Street near the restaurant will have the ability to use the alleyway to exit Harrison Street and take Railroad Street west to Ind. 236.

* Approved the fire protection contract with Russellville Volunteer Fire Department.

* Approved Ordinance 2006-8: Establishing Salaries and Wages for 2007. This ordinance will depend on if the town's 2007 budget clears from the state.

* Approved Ordinance 2006-13: Amending Ordinance 2005-3, as pertains to Hydrant Rental. Under Ordinance 2005-3, the hydrant rental fee were raised to $2344.59 per month. Due to the water project not going forward, the general fund budget had been ordered to be reduced. So the hydrant rental fees have been reduced to $1,511.26 per month.

* Learned from Dr. Robert Heavin from the Putnam County Health Department about pandemic flu.

Since Town Clerk-Treasurer Kay Smith was unable to attend the meeting, the council will be calling a special meeting to go over master claims and appropriations. This meeting will be announced at a later date.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the town hallS. This meeting is open to the public.

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