Cardwell Council discusses wastewater treatment facility

Lecia Forester

Daily Dunklin Democrat

The Cardwell City Council focused its attention on Marvin Nesbitt, of Schultz and Summers Engineering, as he gave the latest update on the Lagoon Wasterwater Project on Thursday evening.

In a previous meeting, the council discussed how the City of Cardwell was looking for more land to install the Wastewater Land Irrigation System. Letters were previously sent out to different landowners to see if they were interested in selling any land. Nesbitt and Mayor John Prince visited different owners, however, none were interested in selling any property.

According to Nesbitt, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is suggesting now that the city look at a new system known as "a trickling sand filter."

Richard Mara, water commissioner, explained that the new system would use a pea gravel media or fine sand media, and is used as a filter that resembles natural filtering. The water goes through the filter and when it gets to the bottom, it is clean.

The system that DNR is suggesting to the city would also recirculate to make sure it gets a double cleaning, half will go out and half goes for recleaning.

Mara added that DNR thinks it could be less expensive but it does require more maintenance since it deals with a large concrete tank that will have to be cleaned out at least every 2 years, possibly sooner, depending upon how much waste goes through the system. The sand and pea gravel media will also have to be changed out as well.

Mara and Nesbitt are planning a trip to Raymondville, Mo., to look at its sand filter system. After the trip, Nesbitt will report on his findings to the council and the city will then decide if this is the system the city wishes to go with.

Nesbitt added that if the city decides on this system then the following steps will have to be taken:

* Draw up the design;

* Submit it to DNR for review;

* It would then go to Public Notice;

* Submit it to Rural Development for its review, and;

* Send out a letter of conditions.

After the conditions are met then the money would be available.

It is possible that a special session meeting could be called to address this issue.

Also under discussion at Thursday's meeting, was the closing of Focus Bank in Cardwell. Prince told Council members that the bank is indeed closing on March 31, 2011. The dilemma that has faced the city has been where it would do its banking. Its choices were to stay with Focus and go to either Hornersville, Mo., or Paragould, Ark., to do business or to switch to a bank that was closer. Councilman Jack Sparks asked Mary Vaughn, city clerk, how much it would cost to replace the bank books and deposit slips if the city went with a new bank. Vaughn estimated the cost to be $300-$500.

After more discussion, the Council voted and approved the decision to stay with Focus Bank, at least for the immediate future.

Another topic that has been under discussion at previous meetings has been the Depot Building. According to Council members, since the Depot Building is part of the city's history, an effort is being made to come up with the funds to repair it. As of now, Vaughn reports that the city has raised $2,777.78 to go toward repair of the roof. Mara estimates the roof at $3,500. There are other repairs that need to be made but the roof is the main concern now.

The idea for a Chili supper as a fundraiser was suggested but no decision was made.

Also in the meeting, the council approved appointments to the Cardwell Housing Board. Councilman Sparks abstained from voting since he is on the board. The following have been approved for appointment: Lewis Richardson, Linda Mason, Jack Sparks, all incumbents, and one new appointee, Carl Dunigan.

Other matters brought to the attention of the Council members included:

* Chief Anthony Parker has contacted a repair shop that is to come to Cardwell and look at the Fire Truck. He will then give the city an estimate of how much it will cost for repairs;

* The Council approved Randy Gardner to serve as back-up to Richard Mara at the same rate of pay. This would ensure that matters concerning the streets and water would be taken care of in case Mara was unavailable. The paperwork still needs to be signed;

* Repairs need to be done on Union Street but Mara is waiting for warmer weather since repairs have to be done under pressure, and;

* Eight letters for bids on cleaning and painting the water tower have been sent out.

The next City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m., March 10, 2011.