NAPPANEE —
The Board of Public Works and Safety moved forward Tuesday with a Pollutant Minimization Program — a plan to get the city’s wastewater plant more in line with the Environmental Protection Agency’s more stringent requirements.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Gale Gerber explained this program involves monitoring the amount of mercury found in the city’s wastewater.
“The limits the EPA put on cities and towns across the nation is very small,” Gerber said, “So if you go over the amount allowed you can apply for a variance.”
He said the allowable amount of mercury is 1.3 nanograms per liter and that mercury can get into the wastewater from mercury thermometers, mercury switches, fluorescent bulbs and air pollution. A study showed that the city’s mercury levels average 2.5 to 3.0 nanograms per liter. Gerber asked for and received approval for Commonwealth Engineer to deliver the plan to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for its approval.
Board Member Phil Jenkins asked if other communities have to come up with a plan too and Gerber said since the EPA lowered the amount it is very difficult to be in compliance.
After the meeting Gerber said part of the plan to reduce the mercury levels would be educating the public on how to dispose of items containing mercury.
Summer hires and resignations
The board approved hiring two seasonal employees. Ben Dijkstra was hired to paint fire hydrants and do other tasks for the wastewater department at a rate of $7.25 per hour. The board also approved hiring Scott Kern as a seasonal employee shared between the street department and the water department, also at a rate of $7.25 per hour, beginning June 14. Kern will work on re-laying brick, painting and general maintenance.
Resignations accepted include police dispatcher Deb Miller. Police Chief Julie Dijkstra said Miller got another full-time job, but she wants to keep Miller on as a part-time dispatcher at the maximum rate of $15.10 per hour, through the transition of merging with the county 9-1-1 center.
The board also accepted the resignation of firefighter Tim Enright, effective May 9.
“I’m sorry he couldn’t continue on,” said Mayor Larry Thompson. “He’s a good guy and a good firefighter.”
Fire Chief Don Lehman said he advised Enright if his circumstances should change he’d love to have him back.
In Other Business
• The board approved replacing a light pole at the Amish Acres sewage lift station. Gerber said the lift station is one of the city’s main lift stations. The pole needed to be replaced but a recent hit and run accident forced the issue. It will be replaced with an underground panel by Anglin Electric at a cost of $3,490.
• The board heard Rieth-Riley started the street resurfacing project.
• The mayor thanked everyone for their role in the Memorial Day celebration. “Everyone pitched in,” he said. “It was a pretty neat day in Nappanee.”
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The Nappanee of Board of Works met on Tuesday.
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