Discussions pending – Clean Water Plant

Concerns about the wastewater treatment facility in Three Rivers, otherwise known as the Clean Water Plant, and the potential for connecting a proposed Fisher Lake sewer system to the plant will be up for discussion during the next Three Rivers City Commission meeting on Tuesday, October 6^th.

                First District Commissioner Ken Baker – speaking during the City Commission and City Manager’s Communications portion of Tuesday’s (September 15^th) commission meeting – suggested including the topic on the agenda for the upcoming meeting.

                Baker mentioned “all the turmoil that’s gone on about the Fisher Lake sewer project” and phone calls he has had in seeking an agenda spot for the topic.  He said, “I think, personally, myself, I’d like to see that topic on the next agenda for the commission to discuss the pros and cons of whether or not we even want to go there.  It may give some direction to the city manager of what we want to do.”

                Baker, who was appointed to an interim position on the commission August 18^th, noted that he was on the commission when the Village of Constantine was connected to the plant and referred to a $7 million expenditure at that time “to take care of the sewage problem and dumping sewage in the river and also to take care of the odor problem in the area where people live down there.”  He said, “All I know is the city taxpayers paid $7 million, which doubled the rate, to take care of the problem quite a few years ago and the problem is still there.”

                Baker said, “I also have some concerns of things I’ve read in the paper that the DEQ is reporting about the operation of the plant.” 

Regarding the idea of linking a Fisher Lake sewer system to the plant, Baker said, “I think we’re a long ways from doing that.  I’d like to see the plant cleaned up, put back like it should be, before we even look at anything.”

                Mayor Allen Balog said he or City Manager Joe Bippus can put items on the agenda, or two commissioners can.  Fourth District Commissioner Carolyn McNary supported Baker’s call for placement of the matter on the agenda for the upcoming meeting and Balog asked City Clerk Lindsay Howes to “make sure it’s on the agenda for our next meeting to discuss.”