Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Commission Discusses Drive-Thru

BY REBECCA S. COOPER

The Gurdon Water and Sewer Commission met in regular session on Monday, April 19, 1999.

The Commission discussed the feasibility of a drive-thru window service for the Gurdon Water and Sewer Department. Harold Hurst, department manager, commented he had a conversation with Mayor Rick Smith to discuss this option. Hurst reported Smith's interest in the idea and will soon have a representative from Diebold, the company that furnishes the vacuum tubes for the banks, give an initial cost estimate.

Hurst's conversation with Smith also crossed the idea of a dumping station for R.V.'s out at the park. The commission may soon be looking into the practical applications of such a project in the future.

The new smoking machine is in, and will be put into use just as soon a the ground dries up some. The smoke machine will be used to locate leaks allowing surface water to get into the sewer lines. The machine sits over the manhole and blows smoke through the sewer system and the smoke will come up where there is a break in the sewer line. The cost of the machine was previously estimated between $1,200 to $1,500.

The new computer is in and working, but still has a few bugs to work out in the networking area. The department hopes to have it completely functioning soon with some assistance.

The commission approved purchase of a new service truck from the state's listings. The panel received only one bid on the specifications considered standard for a state vehicle. The bid from Gildner Ford in Arkadelphia, was $20,300.00 for a three-quarter ton truck with an automatic transmission.

The commissioners then discussed going with a state vehicle at the price of $15,560 from Little Rock Dodge. The difference in the price of the two trucks was $4,740.00.

There was discussion of the Greenville/Red Springs water project. The commission has loan monies available in the general area of $90,000.00 if it chooses for said project.

Hurst mentioned the commission is still dealing with the issue of easements, and seemed convinced, barring any legal entanglements, they could be seeking out a contractor for the small job within 45 days after the last 15 easements have received certified letters.

Charles Summerford, project engineer, had discussed a few of the details with Hurst. Hurst reported the project could possibly cost in the range of $40,000.00 to $50,000.00.

The commission agreed to pay for a tree removal on Joslyn street to prevent any damages it may have had to pay if the tree fell and damaged a nearby home.

The cutting and clean-up would have been more expensive if Hurst hadn't agree the Gurdon Water and Sewer Department work the cleanup. Hurst had already hired Randy Bird to cut the tree down, as there had been no other response from the contractor who came to inspect the job. The commission members passed a motion the $250 be spent to remove the tree.

Members of the commission were eager to see the progress in the operations to connect Arkansas Highway 67 and airport wells to the automatic system. Hurst express enthusiasm he would know more by the next meeting, and all signs were favorable for the connection.

The budgets and revenue reports were made available at the meeting. They show the commission under budget by $15,279.00 from June 1, 1998 to March 31, 1999. March's operations checklist was presented to the board showing $12,295.76 in expenditures.