GMSA Board OK's Engineering Study

Grove Municipal Services Authority board members were split 3-2 this week over whether to authorize an engineering study for $44,000 to expand water service south of Honey Creek which would also include an examination of the current water treatment facilities and a new water tank. Voting nay were Craig Criger and Carolyn Nuckolls.
"We cannot keep up the water pressure now, at Buffalo Shores South and other areas south of the bridge and we need additional facilities," City Manager Bill Galletly said at the meeting. "We are addressing current issues and making an investment in the future."
Galletly told the board "we are dealing with a high growth environment."

Tim McCrary of Rose &McCrary Engineers addressed the group; a previous study in 2002 done by Crafton & Tull has been provided to GMSA and Archer, but a new study is necessary which will be more comprehensive, the board was advised. McCrary said his firm could do the work "but I'm not here to squabble; I can't compete with Archer as I have only 13 employees."

In other action the board:
--approved a settlement of a tort claim by Pete Crow, Grove Sun Daily, in the amount of $2,509 for water damages due to a faulty valve.
--rejected bids for construction of a water/gas/sewer lines to four hangars at the Grove airport; low bid was $212,389. A city estimate was $50,000. One of the hangar owners, Larry Parham, said the four owners would probably get together and dig a trench and co-op the work with the city, and install a grinder pump unit.
--approved a bid for $29,188 for a new tractor for the maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant.
--voted to retain an engineer for $15,000 to $20,000 to draft and get approval for a sludge management plant from the wastewater treatment plant. The city currently takes the sludge to Kansas and dumps it; with the new facilities the city can treat the sludge, bag it and sell it for flower beds. The end product is the same thing sold in stores as top soil.
--approved the use of ductile liner instead of PVC pipe, the result in a change ordered by ODOT for the increased depth of a water line for the downtown project.
City Manager Bill Galletly reported that the voluntary reduction in water use has worked and the city has adequate fire protection now; the voluntary request will continue for the time being.