Fluoride still not done deal; city’s cost, total funding not certain

0

WILMINGTON — There’s no fluoride yet for the city of Wilmington’s water.

During Thursday night’s council meeting, the ordinance which mandated the fluoridation of the public water supplies for Wilmington was postponed to allow council members time to look at a draft report from Strand Engineers.

Council member and Water Committee Chairwoman Kelsey Swindler told those at council that the report in front of them was not a “solid estimate”, but instead an “opinion of probable cost.”

“They outlined three different options for the proposed fluoridation system. It was very clear in that meeting this morning that Jerry (Runk) and the service director that option three would be the best one,” said Swindler.

Alternative 3, as it is labeled, says that the probable cost would be $315,200, with annual operation cost being $11,000. The report says that this option “has the flat slab, double walled tanks, exterior fill station, and case of operation as Alternative No. 1.”

It also says that the building can be smaller without the circulation pump and that there will be one less piece of equipment to maintain. It stated that the HFS chemical would only be “injected into the Clearwells with only the chemical metering pump installed.”

Outside of discussing the report and probable costs, there was also discussion as to how these would be funded.

Swindler told council that it’s disappointing that the Ohio Department of Health has “insubstantial funds” to help, according to her.

“We’ve been assured throughout this process that they would like to help and their plan is to fund start-up fluoridation communities who are doing it for the first time, and would fund for up to 100 percent,” said Swindler.

She said that the engineers were also disappointed by the diminished amount of the funding. She commended the health department for letting the city know of other funding opportunities.

Swindler said the water committee wa not available to identify one that will cover all of the costs. Swindler stated that they will be meeting with the auditors to determine water fund capability to supply the project.

Also during council:

• Mayor John Stanforth announced that Braden Dunham, the superintendent at the landfill, has resigned from the position and will be going into a private family business.

• The first reading of an ordinance from the Solid Waste/Recycling Committee was held. The ordinance would make amends to certain sections of Chapter 925 of the Codified Ordinances regarding Refuse Collection and making the landfill more cost effective.

Council member and Solid Waste/Recycling Committee Chair Joe Spicer said that he did not wish to increase the rates, but it may be time to do it since they’ve put it off as long as they could. The first reading was held so that there could be discussions held.

• A resolution was passed during the safety service director report. The resolution was “expressing intent to sell city surplus items to the public through and online auction service.”

Council member Kelsey Swindler talks to council about the Strand Engineer report at Thursday night’s council.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/03/web1_swindler.jpgCouncil member Kelsey Swindler talks to council about the Strand Engineer report at Thursday night’s council. John Hamilton | News Journal

Council member Joe Spicer discusses a new ordinance involving refuse collection.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/03/web1_spicer-1.jpgCouncil member Joe Spicer discusses a new ordinance involving refuse collection. John Hamilton | News Journal
City’s cost, total funding not certain

By John Hamilton

[email protected]

Reach John Hamilton at 937-382-2574

No posts to display