Russellville keeps on improving

RUSSELLVILLE -- With the new filtration system up and running in Russellville, the town council has set its sights on improving other parts of the town.

During the monthly town meeting on Monday the council approved a bid for a new awning, purchased some new equipment and provided funding of projects.

The town council agreed to take a bid from Park Stables to redo the awning over one of the buildings on the main drag.

Don Reddish, president of Russellville Town Council, leaned toward having the work done through community service efforts. It was advised against, however, due to the unstable nature of the structure.

The price for the new awning will be around $2,295.

Water Superintendent Mike Varvel asked the council to allow for the purchase of new testing equipment for chlorine and manganese.

The testing equipment will help with the unction of the new filtration system and help keep water safe according to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, he said.

The cost of the testing equipment will be around $680. The council approved Varvel's request.

Along with all those changes the town council decided to keep one thing. Reddish will continue as council president until everything is done with the water system projects.

There was also a reading of the resolution to release retainage funds for the water systems project. The amount released will be $4,489, which is only a part of the retaining funds for the project.

In another resolution, Russellville clerk-treasurer DeVon Davis asked for the reimbursement of funds to the water department. This was due to taxes for the town were having to be paid online and can only come from one fund.

She asked to be able to transfer money from the general and transportation funds to the water funds to pay for these taxes.

In other business:

* Town residents will be receiving a letter stating the goals that were accomplished in 2012 and what the town hopes to achieve in 2013.

* The OCRA grant on the community center seems to be clear, if it is this allows the center to be open for more opportunities.

* The drainage issue in the area of Fordice Street was due to debris and will be looked at to see if drainage area is clear.