Elkland authority plans land acquisition, valve replacement

Elkland Borough Authority members discussed the supervisory control and data acquisition system and land acquisition during the April 2 meeting.

Members learned that the SCADA system needs improvements and expressed concerns about health and safety. Cyrus Padgett, who works in the wastewater treatment facility, said, “It is the number one problem that needs to be addressed.” Erroneous information is being relayed and requires overtime hours.

Land acquisition was also discussed by the group. The authority is looking into purchasing land near the water treatment facility and one of the community’s wells. An appraisal is being done on the property as a requirement for securing an agreement with the owner. Improvements at the facility are expected in the future.

Authority members reviewed the inspection report of the water storage unit. Estimated improvements are projected to cost $262,644. The report was prepared by Pittsburg Tank and Tower of Kentucky, which inspected the storage unit. The matter will be forwarded to committee for the development of a five-year plan.

Authority members authorized a change order allowing for all 10 aeration valves to be replaced as part of the current repairs at the wastewater treatment plant. Six of the valves were slated for replacement as part of the original upgrades. The authority members expressed concerns about the age of the remaining values, deciding to replace all 10. The additional valve replacements will add $22,555 to the original project costs.

The annual Chapter 94 report was completed prior to the March 31 deadline. The waste load management report is a requirement of Department of Environmental Protection. The report evaluates the system in an effort to ensure proper management of wastewater.

A resolution adopted at the monthly meeting allows for the authority to follow information in the municipal records manual when shredding documents. Historical records will be preserved. Authority members also agreed to open a Facebook page.

It was agreed that the committee will work prior to the monthly authority meetings with items being placed on the agenda prior to the required posting of agenda time. A new committee was established to deal with equipment and includes Cyrus Padgett, Jeremy Freeman and Nicholas Cook. The group will register with Costars and municipal bid.

The number of credit cards used by the authority will be reduced to one.

The authority will begin weekly flushing of fire hydrants this month to help eliminate sediment in the lines.

The next meeting of the Elkland Borough Authority is 6 p.m. May 7.

Elkland authority plans land acquisition, valve replacement

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