Equipment from sewer to phones and roofs assessed

By Murray Bishoff Special to the Cassville Democrat

The Purdy City Council concentrated on infrastructure issues during its Sept. 9 meeting. 

Following up on the April 28 hailstorm, Public Works Foreman Kevin Cook reported assessing roofs on all the city buildings. The new one on city hall had not been finished at the time. The city received around $120,000 from insurance for the damage, city Clerk Sasha Gomez said. 

Cook figured roofs on the two wellhouses, the old city hall, and the park pavilion could be repaired for around $60,000. 

Mayor Brian Bowers asked to have quotes from roof repair firms to review at the Oct. 14 monthly meeting. 

Council members approved hiring Diamond Maps to upgrade the city’s sewer main locations. Cook reported a main line from the wastewater lagoon carrying effluent to Monett for treatment had not been recorded in the maps he accesses from his phone. The last mapping had been done before the connection with Monett was made. Cost was estimated around $600. 

With the mapping, Cook reported the Missouri Rural Water Association could locate manholes that had since been covered over. 

Cook noted the lagoon has operated with one aerator, but the backup had failed. He planned to get quotes for repairs. With water levels presently low, discharges to Monett had caught up, enabling Cook to access deep valves that have needed maintenance. 

Other recent work included replacing and painting a garage door on well No. 1. Water efficiency for the month was holding steady at 72%. 

Gomez presented council members with the option of renewing the police car loan through First State Bank of the Ozarks for another year at 5.5% or paying off the debt of $6,472. Council members opted to renew the loan then close the debt three months into the following fiscal year. 

Gomez reported the city has been paying $800 a month for phone service at city hall and the public works barn, plus internet, through Mediacom. With the current contract expiring, Gomez felt that was excessive and presented quotes from other vendors. Cook injected that he did not need a phone at his shop. Council members asked her to request unbundled quotes. 

Apparently only Mediacom or Windstream offer internet service in Purdy. Gomez added that while she had no issues with the present service other than the price, she was transferred eight times when she called Mediacom and was on the phone 3-1/2 hours before talking to an actual person. 

In his written report, Police Chief Jackie Lowe noted he and members of the Barry County Sheriff’s office conducted an active shooter presentation at the school on Aug. 19. Lowe reported nine car burglaries on Aug. 24, with numerous items taken. Two suspects appear to have made similar thefts in at least four counties, hitting Monett, Mt. Vernon, Aurora, and Cassville.

Lowe also responded to a loose pig that had escaped its enclosure on Aug. 28. He informed the owner of the city’s livestock ban, and the owner responded that the pig would be the “guest of honor” at a pig roast the following day. Lowe said the owner would receive a ticket if the pig was still there after the weekend.