July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
City sludge permit revoked by IDEM (02/02/07)
Portland Board of Works
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
A handful of Portland industries are being investigated to determine which has been releasing an anti-corrosive material into the city's sewer system and forcing the city to find an alternative method for disposing of sewer sludge.
Bob Brelsford, superintendent of the city's wastewater treatment plant, told members of the Portland Board of Works Thursday that four factories are suspected of releasing molybdenum, causing the level of it in sludge collected at the plant to exceed regulatory limits.
Because the level is so high, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has revoked the city's permit to spread the sludge. The permit was revoked two months ago.
"The holding pond is full ... we're going to need to do something pretty quick," Brelsford told board members. The board voted to pay a Kokomo company to haul the sludge away and burn it. The sludge usually is taken to land near the Jay County Retirement Center and spread, he said.
Brelsford said this morning that he thought it best to wait to dispose of the sludge until the high-concentration of the chemical was no longer appearing in the city's wastewater. This occurred about one-and-a-half weeks ago, he said.
Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said the industries are still being investigated. Both he and Brelsford declined to name the businesses. Hosier said that once the responsible party is identified company officials may be asked to reimburse the city for the cost to haul the sludge away from the plant.
Brelsford said it is the city's responsibility to figure out which company is releasing the chemical so the problem can be solved. After this is done, the city should be able to get its permit back to spread the sludge, he said.
The high level of the chemical was discovered in the summer of 2006 during routine testing. Sludge is hauled away from the plant once a year, Brelsford said.
Board members voted to have Merrell Brothers haul the sludge at a cost of $144,800. Mike's Sanitation Inc., New Breman, Ohio, also submitted a quote of $136,000. Although Merrell was higher, Brelsford said the company probably could get the job done sooner.
Also Thursday, board members:
•Approved active duty military leave for Portland Street Department employee Dennis Mason.
Linda Kennedy, the city's clerk-treasurer, said Mason's leave will be from March 6 to Aug. 7. He plans to train to be a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, she said.
While he is on leave his sick days and vacation days will continue to accrue, she said. If he chooses to do so, Mason can request 15 days of pay as part of his leave. His health insurance will end 30 days after his leave starts, and resume when he comes back to work.
•Voted to have Jay County contractor M & E Construction replace the roof of the street and park department building on South Wayne Street at a price of $6,300. Jeff Harker, superintendent of the department, said the roof has been repaired several times but continues to leak.
Inman Roofing of Portland also submitted a quote of $9,275, and Limberlost Construction of Geneva submitted figures of $12,451 and $14,793. The higher quote from Limberlost was to use asphalt roofing material instead of rubber. The board selected M & E because it had the lowest price.
•Approved the purchase of four-and-a-half drums of mosquito spray from Clarke Mosquito Control at a cost of $11,550.
Harker said he wanted to purchase the spray before the cost rises.
•Selected a $4,002 bid from Portland resident Steve Hudson to purchase the fire department's 1983 mini pumper truck. This was the highest of the five bids submitted.
The truck is being sold because it has been replaced and is no longer of use to the fire department. Hudson, who attended the meeting, said he plans to convert the truck into a wrecker.
Also submitting bids were: Steve Hoffman, Fort Wayne, $2,150; Donnie Green, Portland, $2,750; James Colchin, Monroe, $1,500; and Keith Brunswick, Portland, $2,600.
•Granted permission to close a portion of North Morton Street for the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show from Aug. 18-27.[[In-content Ad]]
Bob Brelsford, superintendent of the city's wastewater treatment plant, told members of the Portland Board of Works Thursday that four factories are suspected of releasing molybdenum, causing the level of it in sludge collected at the plant to exceed regulatory limits.
Because the level is so high, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has revoked the city's permit to spread the sludge. The permit was revoked two months ago.
"The holding pond is full ... we're going to need to do something pretty quick," Brelsford told board members. The board voted to pay a Kokomo company to haul the sludge away and burn it. The sludge usually is taken to land near the Jay County Retirement Center and spread, he said.
Brelsford said this morning that he thought it best to wait to dispose of the sludge until the high-concentration of the chemical was no longer appearing in the city's wastewater. This occurred about one-and-a-half weeks ago, he said.
Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said the industries are still being investigated. Both he and Brelsford declined to name the businesses. Hosier said that once the responsible party is identified company officials may be asked to reimburse the city for the cost to haul the sludge away from the plant.
Brelsford said it is the city's responsibility to figure out which company is releasing the chemical so the problem can be solved. After this is done, the city should be able to get its permit back to spread the sludge, he said.
The high level of the chemical was discovered in the summer of 2006 during routine testing. Sludge is hauled away from the plant once a year, Brelsford said.
Board members voted to have Merrell Brothers haul the sludge at a cost of $144,800. Mike's Sanitation Inc., New Breman, Ohio, also submitted a quote of $136,000. Although Merrell was higher, Brelsford said the company probably could get the job done sooner.
Also Thursday, board members:
•Approved active duty military leave for Portland Street Department employee Dennis Mason.
Linda Kennedy, the city's clerk-treasurer, said Mason's leave will be from March 6 to Aug. 7. He plans to train to be a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, she said.
While he is on leave his sick days and vacation days will continue to accrue, she said. If he chooses to do so, Mason can request 15 days of pay as part of his leave. His health insurance will end 30 days after his leave starts, and resume when he comes back to work.
•Voted to have Jay County contractor M & E Construction replace the roof of the street and park department building on South Wayne Street at a price of $6,300. Jeff Harker, superintendent of the department, said the roof has been repaired several times but continues to leak.
Inman Roofing of Portland also submitted a quote of $9,275, and Limberlost Construction of Geneva submitted figures of $12,451 and $14,793. The higher quote from Limberlost was to use asphalt roofing material instead of rubber. The board selected M & E because it had the lowest price.
•Approved the purchase of four-and-a-half drums of mosquito spray from Clarke Mosquito Control at a cost of $11,550.
Harker said he wanted to purchase the spray before the cost rises.
•Selected a $4,002 bid from Portland resident Steve Hudson to purchase the fire department's 1983 mini pumper truck. This was the highest of the five bids submitted.
The truck is being sold because it has been replaced and is no longer of use to the fire department. Hudson, who attended the meeting, said he plans to convert the truck into a wrecker.
Also submitting bids were: Steve Hoffman, Fort Wayne, $2,150; Donnie Green, Portland, $2,750; James Colchin, Monroe, $1,500; and Keith Brunswick, Portland, $2,600.
•Granted permission to close a portion of North Morton Street for the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show from Aug. 18-27.[[In-content Ad]]
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