Bob Foos
Mayor Pro Tem Michael Renburg presided Monday night as the Oronogo Board of Aldermen made quick work of their monthly agenda. Mayor Charles Wilkins couldn’t attend because he was out of town.
Tony Cantrell, public works superintendent, reported that after almost two years of effort, the city has obtained its general operating permit for storm water from the state. That means Oronogo is now in compliance with the state clean water law and federal water pollution control act through 2031.
The board authorized him to seek bids to update the West Central Street sewer lift station, which he estimated will cost $92,000.
His crew has been sealing asphalt cracks – nearly 2 miles worth so far. He said that will continue until the curbside leaf pick-up service begins on Dec. 1.
The board approved the purchase of 50 new water meters and 70 ERTs to read the meters wirelessly for a total bid price of $16,150 from United Systems.
The purchase and installation of an aluminum replacement lid for a lift station was also approved at $5,347 from Alliance Pump and Mechanical Service.
Police Chief Steven Weaver received approval to use a grant to purchase a video system with four sets of video equipment for patrol cars at a cost of $17,599 from Martel Electronics.
City Clerk Cyndi Jennings presented the new rates required for the city to renew its health insurance policy with Anthem. The employee cost for health insurance is going up $68 per month, and their dental premium is going up $1.49 per employee per month. There’s no change for vision coverage.
Weaver reported that since the police department’s trunk-or-treat event on Halloween was rained out he is open to another way to give away hot dogs that were donated for the event. On Halloween night, his officers toured the city giving away candy.
Rain didn’t keep trick-or-treaters away from the Greystone subdivision. Board member Darrell Orender said that he was visited by 1,100 trick-or-treaters that night.
Kima Francis, reported a similar turnout in Webbwood, where she said Go-Gurts (squeezable yogurt) were popular, along with string cheese, as alternatives to candy.
