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Cloverdale to replace damaged sewer line
CLOVERDALE -- Described as a “pretty good-sized emergency,” Cloverdale municipal leaders and utility officials are now looking to replace a damaged elevated sewer line.
Sewer Superintendent Brad Fulk detailed the issue to the Cloverdale Town Council during its regular meeting Tuesday evening.
The sewer line, located on Blue Side Way in the Stardust Hills subdivision, was hit by two trees which came down in a recent windstorm. The end result was the line being taken out of the air and exposing 60 foot of it 20-30 feet in the air.
At this juncture, Fulk said there are two ways the town could go with replacing the line. The first is to eventually put it back in the air, but to also have a “contingency plan.” This means the line would have to have more bracing, as well as cutting down trees on either side.
The second option would be to install a small pump station, though the start-up costs could be more costly. However, labor costs could be cut down by the town doing the digging and then having an outside source hooking it up.
“(IDEM is) not saying that we can’t put it back in the air, but they are highly discouraging us putting it back in the air,” Fulk said. He added that he planned to call in engineers to survey the site.
Stardust Hills developer Don Gedert opined that aerial gravity was the most cost-efficient. He added that homes could be built on Blue Side Way in the shorter term, so rebuilding there becomes an issue.
Fulk said the biggest cost issue with putting the elevated line back in was that a small crane might need used to set the pillars and the pipe. Ultimately, ease of access will be a concern moving forward.
The council encouraged Fulk to get more input engineering-wise before moving further with any decision making.
In other business:
• The council approved a quote by Bastin Logan Water Services to clean out two town wells for $17,600.
• The council approved the purchase of a 60-horsepower blower for the town’s sewer plant. Fulk said while this would downsize from a previously-approved 100-horsepower blower, it could lead to greater energy savings.
Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners said the town’s utility bills dropped by $2,000 a month with the 100-horsepower blower.
• The council passed Resolution 2020-8, which rescinded a previous one passed last year for transferring funds from the General Fund to Rainy Day. Maners explained this money was needed in the General Fund to “shore it up for the future,” and was not meant to be spent.
• The council passed Resolution 2020-9, which was for a line-item transfer within the General Fund. Maners said this was to pay for the new sound system in the meeting room. She said it all was to be installed on Thursday.
• The council approved for Maners to continue with claims and transfers through year’s end, thus not requiring a special meeting by the council. When the council convenes next month, claims and transfers for both December and January will be presented.
• The council approved to pay out comp time for those who have it at the Cloverdale Police Department. Maners said extra money from the CARES Act would cover it.
The approval was contingent on a review by new Town Attorney Richard Shagley with regard to comp time documentation for Town Marshal Steve Hibler.
• The council approved a request by Hibler to hire a part-time officer. He said the commitment would be 10 hours a week for four-to-six months, and his/her salary would be fully funded with “outside” resources.
• The council scheduled an executive session for Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. to discuss the town’s security systems. Maners related that its server went down last week, but had been shored up with a battery backup.
The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 at 7 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Hall.