Haswell Board Reviews Water Issues
Insurance settlement received.
February 28, 2003
The town of Haswell Board of Trustees met in regular session February 10 with board members Paul Stoker, Michelle Nelson, Sarah Peil and Dutch Eikenberg present. Board member Floyd Cordova was absent.
Barbara Stavely was present to request a water meter installation at "Briggs’ Arena." Town Clerk Sharon Pearson stated that the connect fee and deposit total $100; the $50 deposit would be returned when service is discontinued. Pearson also reported that Van Brown had repaired the meter at the town well. He had not known that it wasn’t working. Brown stated that there was some rust in the impeller, which he cleaned.
Brown suggested that the town’s water tank should be inspected, and that the inside may need to be painted. The town should consider this for the next budget. Brown also asked the board what it wanted to do regarding water nitrate levels. Current readings are at 11, though 10 is the maximum permitted. He stated that the level had fluctuated for years, but was now staying up. The state wants to see a plan to address the issue. It was suggested that the town should gather information to make a grant application, which would be used to install a filtration system. Brown also noted that the state may mandate water conservation.
Fire Chief Donald Oswald report that additional equipment has been purchased, including hose and fittings. Eikenberg reported that about $28,000 in grant funds for the department remains. Oswald stated that, with the extra money available, the department will be able to obtain a slightly newer truck than anticipated. Oswald also reported on a Forest Service training session that three members had attended.
Nelson reported that Guy Schaffer had agreed to do inside cleaning and outside mowing at the Haswell Community Building for $100 per month.
Pearson reviewed a series of questions required annually for the town’s USDA loan on the water system.
The town received an insurance settlement check in the amount of $27,415.24, which was the amount former town clerk Kathy Eikenberg still owed to the town as of January 31, 2003. Ms. Eikenberg had been making payments to the town to repay funds she had embezzled. The board decided to leave the funds in its interest-bearing checking account for the time being since rates on CD’s are so low.