Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Water Project All But Done

With the exception of clean up work, the Gurdon Rural Water Project is all but done.

According to Harold Hurst, manager of the Gurdon Water and Sewer Department, everything is on-line with the system. Sample water tests were taken and have been returned, with the results good so customers can begin using the water.

Hurst said it is hoped a final inspection can be done by the end of the week for the Bierne and Sycamore areas so the department can sign off this region.

However, nothing has been decided about the Greenville portion of the project as yet. Hurst, speaking to the Gurdon Water and Sewer Commission during its regular monthly meeting Monday night, said G&S Trenching has not signed a work order to do this part of the system.

The Greenville community was added onto the project late, once it was learned water lines would not be allowed in the hunting camps near Bierne.

Still, it is hoped G&S will sign a work order on the added project so work there can soon begin.

Hurst said the City of Whelen Springs is expanding its water system and has added 72 new customers already. These customers will be in the Kansas area and toward Vaden.

He said another tank will need to be built in the Kansas area to provide water to these customers.

The water line will run from East Whelen to tie onto the existing system. Hurst said this was the only direction the project could go and tie onto a line big enough to furnish the amount of water required for a tank.

The department is also looking to purchase a used truck to haul its backhoe around. Hurst said two used trucks were found, both Internationals.

One, a 1990 model is being used on a construction site in Hot Springs where the new Books A Million, Sam Goodies and other businesses are being built.

This vehicle has an International DT diesel engine and is clean, Hurst said, but the mileage on it is not known.

The other truck is a 1988 model with 240,000 miles. Hurst said it has a rebuilt engine.

Hurst and Danny Paull, a member of the commission, have spoken with the owner of the '90 model. Paull said he was asking $19,000, but has since dropped the price to $17,750.

The owner of the '88 model is asking $20,700.

Both trucks are classified as single axle, two-ton vehicles. Hurst said the owner of the '88 model would add a bed and wet kit, paint the bed and install new brakes.

A new wet kit, according to Paull, would cost between $7,000 and $8,000.

Hurst said for the department's purposes, it wouldn't be wise to spend the money for a new truck. Because of this, new trucks were not priced.

He also stated neither of the trucks in question have a warranty.

Hurst suggested Paull drive both trucks and look them over before the department makes a final decision as to buy one or not.

In the meantime, Hurst will continue looking for a used truck to haul the backhoe with. "It's hard to find a used truck without spending a lot of time," he said.

The department can purchase a used truck without going through the bid process, Hurst informed the panel, but got the commission's authority to purchase a truck if a suitable one is found.

He added the Hot Springs truck is already rigged to pull a backhoe, and was doing this when he went to look at it on the site recently. Inclement weather, though, prevented close inspection of the truck.

"I won't stop looking," he said. "And may find one at a better price."

In other business, the commission was informed some department accounts will be closed and the money transferred into certificates of deposit. Hurst said he would like to close the construction account, placing the money in it in a CD.

He and Rhonda Spruill, department office manager, will look at the accounts, figure how much can be transferred from each without leaving any one in a fiscal bind and make the appropriate transfers.

Hurst also informed the commissioners the Gurdon City Council recently voted to remove payment for the water and sewer department's handling of billing for garbage fees.