Brunswick village trustees heard about new EPA waterline regulations, a street project timeline, sewer issues, nuisance property, insects and animal complaints when they met at the community room April 14.
The only official vote of the board, other than consent-agenda items, was a non-agenda item giving approval for the addition of Curtis Miller to the fire department roster.
Board chair Jim Meuret presented a bill from Terminex, indicating the service contract for inspection and treatment of termites at the village auditorium was due for renewal. He suggested renewing one more time and, if no active insects are found, to discontinue the service.
Meuret reported on a conversation he had with officials from Concrete Plus, the contractor for the North Franklin Street pavement project. He said the projected start date is Sept. 10 and the contractor projected less than four weeks to completion, including shoulder work and seeding. However, with the contracted completion date in November, Meuret said he “smelled trouble” regarding the three-to-four-week timeframe.
He said the company plans to host an early summer meeting with residents who live north of the tracks, to address plans for access to homes and businesses during construction, as well as emergency vehicle access in the area and travel into the village. Several of the Franklin Street homes currently have no other means of access and the street is the only hard-surfaced artery into town.
Mike Masat, in his role as animal control officer, reported on complaints about dogs in the west part of town, running at large and barking excessively. He had contacted the owner of two of the dogs, who explained the dogs were protecting his house and when that was no longer necessary, he would take the animals to his farm.
“You can’t blame him,” Masat said.
However, not all board members agreed. Meuret directed Masat to follow village code on animal complaints, to impound the animals if they continued to be a nuisance.
An inquiry was made regarding dangerous dog breeds. A review of the ordinances showed no designation by breed of dog, only by the dog’s behavior history.
Discussion also took place about unlicensed vehicles and junk/trash on a property in the west part of town. No action was taken.
Speaking in his role as maintenance man, Masat reported on results of a recent inspection sewer lines by Johnson Pumping, asking for direction on two issues, one in the east part of the village where a clay pipe has “disappeared” with sewage from several homes leaking into the sand/sinkhole under the line.
Masat asked if he should seek bids for replacement of the failed clay pipe. He was directed to do so.
“The sooner the better,” said trustee Chris Twibell.
The second trouble spot is in the west part of town, where tree roots continue to encroach pipe in an area on either side of a manhole.
Masat said, if the roots are ground out annually as was done in the past, it isn’t an issue. But this time it had been about 18 months and the pipe is nearly blocked. Johnson had offered several options including lining the pipe and a foam chemical treatment to kill the roots. No decision was reached by the trustees.
Additional items on Masat’s maintenance report included:
• A jack that holds the tractor blade up when disconnected from the tractor had disappeared and he had ordered a new one;
• Questioned procedure when he can’t locate a waterline curb stop when he needs to disconnect water service, received no response;
• Willetta Lindsay’s new house is set to arrive May 1;
Bruce Horstman of Orchard, who also serves as the certified water operator for the village, was present to explain upcoming EPA regulations regarding lead and copper waterline assessments.
He said the village will be required to assess the type of waterline leading into each residence by October 2024. Currently there is no requirement for homeowners to replace waterlines, just to determine if there are lead pipes, fittings or lead in welded joints of copper pipe. And, it only affects waterlines from curb stops to meters, not plumbing beyond the meter inside homes. Horstman suggested sending a letter asking residents to identify the type of pipe installed from the curb stop to their houses. He offered to share a copy of a letter to be used by Orchard village officials.
Village clerk/treasurer Krystal Buck advised, “We will probably have to go into executive session (to discuss delinquent utility bills).”
Buck also reviewed the monthly bills, with input from her father, trustee Craig Forbes.
Forbes, who also serves as fire chief, reported that the village attorney, James Meuret, was looking into the process to separate the local EMT/first responder squad from firefighters, to allow more firefighters to serve on the department. He had indicated at the March meeting that although EMTs are members of the department, they are not active firefighters. There is a 25-member cap per “company” within the department. More discussion will occur at a future meeting.
Meuret announced the board would enter executive session. Although no vote was taken during open session, he said all other business was complete.
Bills approved: J & J Sanitation, 1,074.87; NCPPD, 2,217.83; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, 30; Core Development - annual dues, 200; Ed Wahrer - paper towel holder, towels, 24.04; Plainview Telephone - camera internet, 49.99; Terminix - annual fee, 407.23; Pitzer Digital, 159.24; Mike Masat – mileage, 250, wages, 828; Ashlee Masat - wages, $77; Buck – wages, 600.