Water main breaks

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

CLOVERDALE --Cloverdale residents were without water for the majority of Tuesday evening as reported at the town council meeting.

Cloverdale Town Council President Don Sublett began the meeting by letting the people present know that a 10-inch section of water main had broken. This break occurred down by the feed mill on Burma Road. "This should be up and working soon," Sublett said.

Following the announcement, the meeting began with claims. Council member Dennis Padgett showed gumption in standing up for the taxpayers by not accepting two claims. The reason for this denial of money was that Utilities Manager Mike Gray reportedly has overstepped his $500 budget allowance several times without consulting the board. The monies in question were from a sewage backup in Stardust Hills that caused sewage to enter a residence. Gray reportedly contracted Spiker Excavation to help fix the problem.

Padgett said that the town has a utility department that needs to be responsible for these matters. "We have paid over $50,000 to Spiker already this year. If the utility department isn't doing their job we should just hire Spiker ourselves."

Padgett continued by telling Clerk-Treasurer Patti Truax that she needs to try to get the claims sheets to the council members sooner than the day before a meeting. Town Attorney Alan Yackey intervened by telling Padgett he shouldn't let another elected official make him feel rushed and if he isn't satisfied with the knowledge he has about something when it was time to vote, to vote against it until more knowledge is acquired. Truax retorted that it would be impossible to get the claims sheets to them a week in advance.

The Council also heard from Shannon McCloud from Priority Project Resources regarding the town's grants. McCloud gave a half hour presentation on what she could do for the town as far as obtaining grant money. She believed she would need to be on the project for 18-24 months. The other grant company, West Central Grants' Terry Jones did not show for the meeting.

There was also a verbose discourse on water claims. Every month people file claims stating they were overcharged on the water/sewage bill due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control. For 15-minutes, the board discussed how lucrative it is for them to hear these claims individually since it is only a matter of time before a leaky toilet turns into a hose that was left on and consumed 20,000-gallons of water.

Lastly, the board approved for the demolition of the water tower that stands on the north side of Interstate 70. The tower is ripe with lead paint and needs to be demolished. The project price for the demolition alone is $11,700 and will be taken down sometime between the second week of Sept. and the second week of Oct.

The Cloverdale Town Council meets regularly the second Tuesday of every month in Town Hall at 7 p.m. A special meeting will take place Aug. 19 to discuss the budget. It too will take place at 7 p.m.

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  • I wonder if outofcontrol ran for the Clerk's office when it was up for election? The State probably could not due without their knowledge and wisdom, so I presume not. Most bills run on a 30 day invoice which would make sense that claims would have to be generated up to the time of council meetings or they would be late by the time the next meeting came around to approve them. HOWEVER, that does not stop members from coming in and going through the claims a week ahead of time and then the day before to be up to date come meeting time, is that not part of what they are being paid for? My question is, what is a water superintendent doing contracting out a sewer job?

    -- Posted by sadNmad on Wed, Aug 13, 2008, at 11:24 AM
  • Gray is the Utilities Manager, that was my mistake and has been changed online

    -- Posted by kevincrafton on Wed, Aug 13, 2008, at 11:37 AM
  • If everyone remembers, you elected the Clerk last year. So, get her back!!!! Yes I think that the Council members need to look at claims before the meeting, isn't this the stuff they are being paid for???

    If the Council doesn't want the Water Superintendent to contract out jobs he feels that are big for the Sewer/Water personal to do, then how are they to fix them, when the Council only meets once a month???? People aren't going to wait to have a BIG problem fixed!!!

    -- Posted by moo on Wed, Aug 13, 2008, at 12:55 PM
  • What is with the properties on W. Columbus St. not being mowed?

    It looks awful and is an eyesore to the town.

    Sublet you live close to it - can't you do something about it?

    -- Posted by mal on Wed, Aug 13, 2008, at 1:26 PM
  • Another playground fight in Cloverdale? Another fine example set for the kids? Well at least no new lawsuits. Maybe the high school Govt class can sit in on the next meeting.Just do business of the town w/o the fighting...please.Also,I guess the attorney is STILL the highest member of the council.Never a dull moment in Cloverdale.

    -- Posted by honestyisbestpolicy on Wed, Aug 13, 2008, at 1:43 PM
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