Bainbridge drains water tower for project

BAINBRIDGE -- The Bainbridge Town Council discussed the upcoming water project renovations during its regular monthly meeting Wednesday night. Troy Elless, assistant utilities superintendent, said the project will begin this weekend when the town drains the water tower so it can be repainted and refurbished.

The renovations should take about a month, Elless said. After the water tower is done, the town will work on the water treatment plant and then install the new meters. But while the water tower is drained, the town will have to be careful with its water supply over the next month. Using too much too quickly can hurt water flow for the rest of the town, Elless said.

"If we get a high flow, it'll ruin everything else," Elless said.

The Bainbridge Fire Department has already prepared for the water shortage by filling up its tankers, as well as alerting other fire departments of what will happen.

The board also readdressed the issue of open burning. Since the warmer spring weather has hit Putnam County, the board has been receiving numerous complaints from people in town regarding open burning. The smoke from the fires has irritated the allergies of some and simply bothered others.

However, board president Richard Cope said the state has regulations regarding open burning, and so far, no one has broken these regulations. The board also agreed that they were happy with the state law and did not wish to make a town ordinance regarding the issue. Cope said if neighbors were more considerate of the smoke open burning created, there would not be any issues.

"If you're being a good neighbor, then it's not an issue," Cope said. "We had this discussion two years ago. I'm still not prepared to (make an ordinance). I don't want to take it away from people."

The board also discussed what they should do about fixing the new walking trail. The utility board has taken pictures and documented the fact that weeds have been growing through the paved trail in certain areas. Elless said he questioned the quality of the work, saying the construction company paved the road too thin.

"I don't feel like they fulfilled their contract," board member Bonnie Osborn said.

The construction company said it will return to the site to place another inch of blacktop on the trail with the town paying for the materials used, but they have been unable to be reached for comments or questions.

Town attorney Jim Ensley said he will send a letter to the company telling them the board does not accept the offer, believes the company did not fulfill its contract and expects the company to fix the path for free. The company will have 10 days to respond to the letter.