Filtration project now under way at Russellville

RUSSELLVILLE -- The water filtration project is under way in Russellville, and the town council reported this week that the exterior of the building is already nearly complete.

The system is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

"Hopefully you'll see a big change in the water quality," council president Don Reddish said. "Hopefully not too much change in taste. We've always had good tasting water."

The previous filtration system, which was several decades old, broke early this year, which the Reddish said has led to imbalanced chlorination.

The town received a loan recently and accepted a bid from Spear Corp. for $106,710 last month to start the project.

The council also discussed a number of other issues in town.

Discussion centered on the collapsed building entering Russellville.

Attorney Jim Ensley said he believes it is realistic to see progress before 2013.

Streetlights that have been turning on and off were discussed again. In several previous meetings this year, and clerk-treasurer DeVon Davis said she would again call Duke Energy -- something she has done twice previously.

Other improvements in town have come from more positive circumstances.

Ali Elmore, a student at North Putnam Middle School student, recently won $150 in an essay contest and pledged to donate it to the town so it could be used for new basketball goals in the park.

"You've done a great job and everyone in Russellville is very proud of you," Reddish told her. "We'll get going as soon as possible."

In other business:

* The council set holiday hours for the town office. The office was closed on Thanksgiving and Nov. 22, and will be closed on Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 2.

* A North Putnam bus driver has been having issues with trees hanging over the roadway on her route, but Reddish said he believes a changed route will correct the problem.