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City approves $3 million bond for water works system  Share
The Bridgeport City Council unanimously voted to accept a $3 million bond for the city's water works system improvements. Ordinance #587 was adopted to pursue plans for a water line to be stretched from the Billett wells and proposed water treatment plant to the city. During a public hearing concerning the investment, Mayor Max Schauf explained that the well field was comprised of three wells which will produce one and a half million gallons a day. Although the wells are in the flood plain, Schauf said that all workings would be protected. The motors would be raised on substructures. Also, the water treatment plant would be near the Illinois Route One highway out of the flood plain. The mayor predicted the time frame in which the water could be available saying ''this time next year with a prayer.'' He also addressed the question of raising water rates....''your fees will not go up because of this. I repeat. Your fees will not go up,'' he said. ''The number one goal is to have clean, safe, pallatable water,'' he added. While the $3 million will now be accessible for the project to move forward, the city may need to use some of the funds to pay for engineering fees. Although the state approved a $150,000 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant for the fees, it is uncertain whether or not it will be received. ''We may not get it,'' Schauf said. In an attempt to save the city money, the council voted to have its trash service reduced to pickup once a week. Customers on the west side of town will have their trash pickup on Mondays, while those on the east side of town will have theirs picked up on Wednesdays. On those days, as well as Fridays, the trash in large dumpsters will be picked up. The changes will go into effect on August 1.
Councilman George Zellars also suggested that the residential cost raise, as well as other trash service licenses. Both motions died for a lack of a second. While the council attempts to streamline its budget, a budget for the new fiscal year was adopted with a 5-1 vote. Zellars cast the opposing vote. The personnel committee also had changes to bring to the table on employee policies. Some of the changes included: * full-time employee is considered 40 hour weeks (it is currently 32 hours) with a starting pay of $9 per hour. * the termination of longevity pay, a bonus for employees for every five years employed. * the termination of birthday holiday pay. * reiteration that time clocks must be used and overtime hours must be approved by the council unless approved by a supervisor. * the implementation of two breaks per day - one 10-minute break in the morning and one in the afternoon at the job site. * employee evaluations will be performed every January by the personnel committee or supervisor. According to Councilwoman Pam Hager, the policies will be reviewed and renewed annually. The changes were approved by the council with a 5-1 vote. Zellars cast the opposing vote. Bridgeport Township Road Commissioner Steve Moore addressed the board with a request for funding to repair roads leading to the Bridgeport City Cemetery and Shiloh Baptist Church. The 800N road, the Lanterman Park road and the overhead bridge road all ''need attention,'' he said. Moore said that the township receives $35,000 in motor fuel tax funds. However, $18,000 of that is being used for the purchase of a Ford tractor and grader. Moore questioned whether or not the municipal share of road and bridge tax money used by the city, amounting to less than $7,000, could be used partially by the township. The council will take the matter under consideration. ''The roads connect to a vital part of this community,'' Mayor Schauf commented. Water Superintendent Steve Boatman announced that the water would need to be turned off for removal of a water line and tie-in to a new 12-inch line at Oak Street in Bridgeport on Thursday (today). A boil order will follow in the aftermath of the work. Barbara E. Allender is editor of the Bridgeport Leader.
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