Town tries to put the lid on lingering sewage problems

Months after beginning a rehabilitation project at the town's sewer plant, Cloverdale officials are continuing to deal with unanticipated costs associated with the project and work out differences between them and the company contracted for the work.

In their regularly scheduled February meeting, council members made final decisions regarding deletions and change orders to the contract executed between them and TRIAD/Bowen Engineering for the recently constructed wastewater treatment plant, thus essentially ending a long period of dispute between the council and TRIAD regarding the multi-million dollar project.

As has been previously reported, asphalt work, tile flooring, and final grading work have been deleted from the project in a cost-saving measure. In addition, perimeter fencing around the structure will not be installed by Bowen; although it is thought that the Department of Homeland Security requires perimeter fencing around utility complexes. A decision on the fencing will made at a later date after grant opportunities have been investigated.

In related news, residents who have been wondering about the mysterious humming sound hovering over town lately, they may be glad to know that Utility Manager Mike Gray has the answer.

On Tuesday, he informed the council that thanks to the installation of two new units, noise from blowers at the treatment plant, which had been the subject of numerous complaints, should now be drastically reduced.

In other business:

* Clerk/Treasurer Patti Truax was given approval to attend a Clerks school in Evansville on June 10-11 and a Clerks/Deputy workshop in Greenwood on Feb. 28.

* David Taylor from First National Bank discussed with the council the logistics of accepting credit card payments for utility bills.

* Shannon McLeod, who was scheduled to appear at the meeting to discuss grant writing was unable to attend. McLeod will address the council at a special session on March 4, 2008. The Cloverdale Town Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month.