Marion has plans to turn old filter plant into storage unit

Marion has plans to turn old filter plant into storage unit

News and notes from Water & Sewer Committee meeting

news@theeveningtimes.com

Marion Water Department plans to convert an old filter plant building into a storage unit.

Mayor Frank Fogleman said the water and sewer committee gave the water department the go ahead to get bids to retrofit the old filter plant at Currie and Pine Streets.

“The (filter) equipment hasn’t been removed yet,” Fogleman said. “But we got some token offers for the equipment. Once that is removed we will put in some roll up doors. (Water Department Manager Jim Shempert) wants to take all of the old stuff out and make it into a place to store equipment and supplies.”

Shempert said the department would like to be able to park its sewer cleaning vacuum truck inside the shed which will require them to install some new doors.

“We’ve been having to leave it out,” Shempert said. “So rather than have to drain it every time we get cold weather, we would like to be able to park it inside.”

Shempert said they sold the old filters and are just waiting for the buyer to come and pick them up.

He estimates the renovations will cost about $12,000.

“We’re hopefully going to put some heat in there as well,” Shempert said.

In other business:

• The committee authorized Shempert to purchase a new four door pickup truck from the state bid list not to exceed $26,000. The department had budgeted the money for a new truck last year, but postponed it a year for other expenses.

• Discussed the use of money in the 2018 budget for upgrades to the Marconi Street sewer pump station.

“That could be for motors, electrical, or any combination of those,” Fogleman said. “He will also write some specs, advertise, and get some bids for those.

When we get those bids we will take them to the council.”

The water department budgeted about $35,000 for the upgrades.

By Mark Randall