Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Sewer Lines To Be Smoked; Will Show Problem Areas

In July some area residents can expect to see smoke rising out of their water vents.

At the Gurdon Water and Sewer Commission meeting June 21, Harold Hurst said the commission would probably receive complaints as soon as it began smoking the sewer lines from residents with poorly plumbed lines.

Smoke sent through the lines will rise to the surface to show where leaks are. In July, the smoke may show leaks in sewer vents in private lines.

The commission bought a 3/4-ton 1999 Dodge pickup truck with utility package from Allen Tillery of Hot Springs for $20,636 on June 11. Hurst found the truck and contacted the commission members, who then approved the purchase.

Apparently, this caused some confusion about the legality of the purchase with Gurdon City Council.

Hurst presented a letter to the commission members at the meeting from Ronald Rodgers, CPA of Taylor, Rodgers, Turner and Malone, auditors for the commission. In the letter Rodgers stated "I am not an attorney, but it looks like the statutes relation to bids apply only to first class cities. Since Gurdon is a city of the second class, the law does not apply."

The one bid offered the commission on the specifications for the truck was from Gildner Autoplex in Arkadelphia, for $20,300 without the utility package.

The state bid which was accepted and approved by the commission was through Little Rock Dodge for $15,560 with a utility package. But the commission was unable to purchase through the state because state bids can and was closed before the deadline by the manufacturer after the bulk of the vehicles have been ordered.

Hurst commented "We've bought trucks like this in the past and had no problems." Bill Dulin said "We got the best price available."

Some Water department employees have expressed their disappointment to Hurst about not getting a raise this year. The employees had their insurance costs increased without a cost of living increase. Commission members discussed possibly going to the personnel department to seek a raise for the water department employees.

Thursday, at 11:00 a.m. the commission opened bids for the Greenville water project.

The commission still needs nine of the 25 easements for the project. But the commission is allowed to bid the project with 80 percent of the easements.

There will be an extension of the Red Springs line from the Snuffey Ray home to the home of Mrs. Virgil Marks.

The Gurdon City Council requested a member of the Water and Sewer Commission attend the council meetings.

The commission has a drawing from the architect for the drive through window. But no plans have been decided upon until the commission has looked the drawings over.

Hurst reported at the last meeting he had drawings for the R.V. pumping station out at the park. By Tuesday, Hurst had still not received any price for the package unit.

The commission approved the proposed budget for next year.