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Dane appointed to council  Share
Sewer project needed for EPA compliance About half of Casey is served by a combined sanitary/storm sewer system. Heavy rains cause an over-capacity influx of sewage into the sewer treatment plant when overflows into a ditch occur. The Environmental Protection Agency allows only four overflows per year. Casey's 2009 records show 95 overflows and 91 in 2008. Fortunately, there are so many communities falling in the noncompliant category, fines have not yet been waged. To address this issue, the city has set its sights on a $5.1 million sewage treatment plant and $2.8 million project to install a pumping station and lagoons. A public hearing was held prior to the 6 p.m. Nov. 2 council meeting. Engineer Mike Cline of Hannum, Wagle and Cline presented two options - a $10 million plan to separate the combined sewers and the $7.9 million option described above. He recommended the latter.
Casey's current treatment plant is two years older than its 25-year life expectancy and is flowing at its 400,000 gallons per day capacity. The depreciated and rusted facility will be replaced with a concrete one, estimated to handle a 600,000 gallons per day capacity with a life span of 25 years. It will include expansion possibilities. The new facility will be located on ground recently procured by the city, adjacent to city property, which Cline described as the ''perfect'' location. Cline provided a detailed schedule from application for the long-term control project to the Illinois EPA Dec. 1, to approval and design to being April 10, 2010 and project completion April 2013. He suggested a three-phase rate increase to soften the blow to consumers, anticipating the first to be imposed May 2010, the second November 2011 and finally, April 2013. It is projected the eventual sewer charge, based on average water consumption of 5,000 gallons per month, to be $37.60. Funding of the project includes a $4,906,000 loan at 2.5% interest from the USDA Rural Development program and $2.4 million from a stimulus grant. Pending EPA approval of the project schedule, another public hearing dealing with rates will be conducted. Cline and Utilities Superintendent Shelby Biggs are developing a plan using current funds earmarked for the sewer department to address other drainage issues, including 4th and Main, and problems south of Monroe Street, as well as rehabilitation of sewer mains and manholes. Bob Dane was tapped to serve as alderman in Ward 3 to replace Donna Tutewiler who resigned her position last month. Mayor Scott Elkins made the appointment, approved by the council. Elkins said Dane has lived in Casey over 25 years, has been married for 37 years and has six children. He holds degrees in criminal justice and health science and is retired from the United States Air Force. Dave has served as president of the Casey Youth Football League for 25 years and is current vice president of the Wabash Valley Youth Football League. He is a member of the American Legion and Disabled Veterans. He is a certified scuba diver, emergency room nurse and paramedic. He is soon to open a new business in Casey, Dane's Games and Custom Computers with his son, Alex. Park Recreation Director Debbie Hutton gained approval for plans to hold Christmas in the Park, to include Santa, a community Christmas tree, and an ice skating rink. Hutton said Santa is set to arrive at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 and will entertain visits from children in the Scout House until 2 p.m. That evening, Hutton plans a Community Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Carol Sing. She is working with other community groups to increase involvement in the project. The council also gave her the nod for a $3,000 40-foot by 80-foot portable ice-skating rink to be located on the current basketball court and to be used throughout the winter season. Additionally, the city accepted her proposal to schedule two April, 20, 2010 performances of the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus in Fairview Park. The circus provides marketing materials and shares proceeds with the city. A contract-closing fee of $290 is refunded to the city if 200 or more advance tickets are sold. To address concerns with vandalism during the season, the mayor instructed Police Chief Mark Jenkins to price surveillance equipment, something he indicated was needed year-round. The council approved a bid of $1,620 from Bastin Logan Water Services to install a pit adapter to bring water well #13 to 10-feet above grade, an EPA standard; and a bid for $5,500 from the same company for test well drilling. The city is in need of a fourth well, as one of the three currently used was down nearly nine months this past year. EPA recommends four wells. Should a fourth well be drilled at an approximate cost of $149,000, the $5,500 will go toward that amount, plus the city employees will do road and electric work to bring the cost down to around $90,000. The remaining coverage of the city council meeting will be published in The Reporter's Nov. 12 edition. Marcy Shonk is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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