City of Lind secures grants for waterline repairs

LIND – The Vulcan Street Waterline Repair Project will be covered by grants from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Patrick Sheehy of Century West Engineering reported two grants are available — one for $30,000 and one for $150,000 — to council members and Mayor Paula Bell at the Sept. 8 city council meeting. Council motioned to accept the grant money, which Sheehy said will be enough to complete the whole project. Sheehy said he expects the work to be able to be done before winter.

Sheehy reported the Cemetery Waterline is complete, with council motioning to accept the project as complete. Watering is expected to begin after the lines are flushed.

Sheehy also reported work has begun on the 2020 Water Improvement Project to include Lutcher and 7th Street, services on 6th Street and Variable Frequency Drive at Well No. 8. Double J Excavating is completing the work. Water main and meters were being replaced on Lutcher last week, with work on 7th Street to begin this week, followed by meters on 6th Street being replaced. Sheehy said there is no cost to residents for meters being replaced, but some of the work will need to be done on private property. Sheehy said home owners do not need to be home when the work is done, but it would be helpful if they could indicate where the meter is located.

Sheehy said the motor replacement and Variable Frequency Drive for Well No. 8 will be done in November.

Mayor Bell reported the wells are operating with good levels, and Well No. 6 is open to Lind local use only, as of August 31. Bell also reported a water leak at 306 W. 3rd Street which the town will replace line on, at a cost of $5,789. The property owner will cover the cost of the line from the meter to the property.

In other business, council

— Approved an amendment to the Consolidated Disposal Services Inc. contract.

— Approved payment of warrants from August 25 to September 7 totaling $26,762, along with pending invoices.

— Approved hiring Joe’s Tree Service to remove a tree branch in the southside park if needed.

— Heard interviews will take place this week of four applicants for the public works position, with councilpersons Richard Baldwin and Jim Dworshak involved along with Joe Pessutti.

— Heard new flags and poles will need to be purchased after the windstorm.

— Heard Brad Stout is taking care of weeds flagged by the Weed Board, councilperson Baldwin is pulling weeds in the alleyway, and the Olson kids mowed Centennial Park.

— Heard Councilperson Rose Elkington is almost finished painting the cattleguard, and there was a black Rottweiler running loose on 5th Street.