By JANE VAJNAR

Contributing writer

Durham City Council approved city cleanup week May 10 through 14.

The council approved a contract March 2 for pest control for $252. The council decided it was more cost effective to maintain the contract than to wait until there was a problem.

A registered letter will be sent to the owner of a car at the park. A deadline for removal will be included in the letter.

Water Supervisor Verlin Sommerfeld reported 330,100 gallons of water were pumped during February and 248,500 gallons were sold, representing a 27 percent loss.

“I don’t know where that loss came from,” Sommerfeld said. “I don’t know of any major leaks but the loss is here in town somewhere.”

Mayor Mike Sorenson asked if there was a leak at the water tower. Sommerfeld said there was not. Efforts will continue to sell the former bank building. Sorenson will talk with a real estate agent about listing the building. Bills approved for payment included $50 for dues to a mayors’ association; $99 for sand; $733 for meter boxes, valves and lids; and $258 for an air compressor.