Durham City Council: Council faces leaking water
Contributing writer
At the Durham City Council meeting Jan. 7, Verlin Sommerfeld informed the council that he is taking fire school training and they are looking for a derelict house to burn as a training exercise for fire fighters. He asked whether the city would be willing to donate the water for such an activity. The consensus of the council was that donating the water would be acceptable.
Mayor Glennon Crowther asked whether there still is a problem with a leaking valve in the south part of the city and Sommerfeld said it still is leaking. Marvin Rediker said one at his residence also is leaking now. The city will try to get someone out to do repairs.
Otherwise, Rediker reported no problems with the water system. "The AquaMag pump still is doing what it's supposed to do," he commented. At last month's meeting he had reported some problems with the pump, which he had repaired. In December, 447,000 gallons of water were pumped, as compared to 449,000 in November. The lift pumps ran 47 hours last month.
Asked if he had any problems to report, Sommerfeld said, "Not really. A couple people haven't paid their bills, but that is not unusual."
Crowther informed the council about several pieces of correspondence he had received.
Hank Yoder of Stutzman Refuse Service had informed them that the dumping charge at the transfer station will be deducted from Stutzman's bill, since it now is being collected by the county. The fee for hauling will be $5.25. City-wide clean-up days must be scheduled with the transfer station on a first come, first served basis with no more than one city per week. "If we want to have our clean-up day in April, we need to get our date set," said the mayor.
A solicitation was received asking whether the city wants to put in a tornado siren, but no action was taken.
A mailing from Congressman Jerry Moran announced that he will be in Peabody Jan. 17 on his listening tour. That is his only stop in Marion County.
Kansas Rural Water District had issued a warning about companies selling water mapping systems. Some of them charge for services that are never performed or are inadequate. KRWD advises that cities "must assure they receive what is being promised."
Joyce Medley, city clerk, gave the mayor and council members information on filing for re-election. Candidates must file by Jan. 21. Anyone wishing to file for the offices of mayor or city council must either pay a $5 filing fee or get a minimum number of signatures to file by petition. The number of names needed is a percentage of the votes cast in the last election. For Durham, 13 signatures are required.
Bills approved included $99 to the Kansas League of Municipalities for dues, $833 for equipment for the water system and numerous routine bills.
