One step closer in the salt storage debate

BAINBRIDGE-- Bainbridge utilities were the hot topics during Wednesday night's town council meeting. The board continued discussion on the topic on salt storage, inching one step closer to making some decisions.

For the past few months the Town of Bainbridge has been making decisions and designing a building for salt storage.

In the past, the town has stored its salt along with the county. In an effort to have more salt readily available than before, it is undergoing the necessary steps to build a saltbox of its own.

Town utility manager Troy Elless presented the board with three new quotes that filled the specifications the town wanted.

"We came up with specifications and sent them out," said Elless. "They're all build the way we wanted."

The council leaned toward the lowest bid that was presented, but asked Elless to go back to the contractor and ask more questions. Elless will come back to next month's board meeting with what should be a final proposal.

The water project is nearly completed, which repainted and refurbished the town's water tower, worked on the water treatment plant and installed new meters.

"We have been working out the bugs in the new computer program that runs the water plant for the past three weeks," said Elless. "There has been little progress, but there has been progress."

Elless also reported that the painting has been completed. However, the past month there have been a few minor water leaks. The town was able to notify residents in a timely manner through the new meter reading system.

A water valve was also installed on South Street in preparation for the storm water project.

"During the project the water main on Green Street will have to be lowered to go under the new pipe," explained Elless. "By installing the valve and one more, we will be able to isolate that line and keep all our customers on."

Bainbridge was awarded a $600,000 grant, which will be used to help the town update and repair the storm water drainage system. The improvements to the drainage will help reduce flooding throughout the town.

The council also discussed the possibility of using civil infractions or town ordinances instead of state violations for writing tickets for things such as speeding and not stopping at stop signs.

People will have 60 days to pay the infraction and in the event that one contests it will be transferred to the clerk's office.

"It kind of becomes a cost benefit thing. You have to ask yourself if you're going to make any money," said Bainbridge town attorney Jim Ensley. "I don't want Bainbridge to be known as speed trap central. We have to make sure we are doing it for the right reasons."

The benefit of moving to this system would be that more money goes back to the town. As it currently stands, the town only receives $3 for each ticket written. "Other people are getting the support costs for the work we do," said council president Chuck McElwee. "It's much better for our local people."

Tickets on U.S. 36 would remain state violations under the new system. A town violation also would not go on record unless it goes unpaid.