Environmental study halts demolition of former Peabody city sewer plant
Peabody City Council took a potential budget punch Monday evening when members heard a report from Gary Mason representing Integrated Solutions, Inc., an environmental testing company. Mason's company had tested the former sewer plant and found mercury vapor in several areas.
Council now is faced with several options — none of them inexpensive — for the reclamation of the area.
Mason's suggestion was to run additional tests and see if the mercury is contained in the concrete from the plant or if it has leeched into adjoining areas. Mason felt a solution could not be reached until council was fully apprised of the extent of any contamination.
Mason also will look into the state's "Brownfields" program which provides funds to reclaim property that is environmentally compromised. He will remain in contact with the council and city administrator Jeff Benbrook.
City engineer Al Reiss also was present to discuss how best to wrap up the sewer project before the Dec. 31 deadline in view of the environmental study, which will halt all demolition work.
No final determination was made, but Reiss will contact Benbrook with his findings before the next meeting. A special meeting will be called if needed.
Other business related to the sewer project included the announcement that Smoky Hill Construction has not yet completed the items that remain on its "punch list." Benbrook said he is holding the company's final payment until the work is done.
John and Cora Bloomer presented the council with a statement of expenses they incurred because of the sewer construction work that infringed on their property. The council voted unanimously to pay Bloomers' bill of $800. Council also will examine ground next spring that may need to be re-seeded.
Council went into executive session for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of property.
On return to open session members unanimously approved making an offer to purchase the property on which the former sewer plant is located.
In other business the council:
— heard a work order will be issued to repair a street light on Second Street.
— canceled an agenda item concerning purchase of red shale for the baseball field. Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission members were unable to attend and address the item.
— heard that public works superintendent Darren Pickins had completed evaluation for all public works employees.
— discussed drainage on city streets and problems caused by lack of curb and guttering in many areas. No action was taken.
— heard a report from Pickens about projects planned for winter months. He also presented a re-cap of a variety of jobs the city crew recently completed.
— heard the city Christmas dinner will be Dec. 11 at Sharon's Korner Kitchen.
— discussed but took no action on a plan to seek an engineering firm to aggressively study the drainage problem between Vine and Olive streets. The issue was tabled until after the first of the year.
