The Stanley Common Council meeting had a busy agenda.
Nick Martin, head wastewater operator for the city, spoke to the council of the need for new plumbing at the wastewater treatment plant. Aware that the 39-year-old plumbing was corroding a few years ago, it needed to be repaired but as prices of plumbing parts were climbing, that repair was delayed.
“This isn’t a want it’s a need. We have to have plumbing at the sewer plant that’s functional for OSHA standards,” Martin stated.
The Stanley wastewater treatment plant is a state-approved plant with the DNR. The DNR approved for all cast iron plumbing in 1984 when the plant was built. If the plumbing is replaced with cast iron, then it is just maintenance and further DNR approval will not be needed. If it is replaced with PVC, the city will need to get approval from the DNR which could take a long time and may be close to the same cost as cast iron, especially if schedule 80 PVC is required.
Martin added that the DNR may allow PVC but end up requiring the more expensive schedule 80 PVC and “meanwhile (you) waited eight months to hear that answer and only saved $1,500 dollars. Meanwhile I’m down there mopping up every time one of the other guys uses the toilet,” said Martin.
Adding that the previous cast iron lasted 39 years, Mayor Haas remarked, “You are better off going with cast and not upset the apple cart.”
Speaking of the shortage of tradesmen in general, Martin mentioned he contacted multiple plumbers but that only one bid came in from N.L. Stock with two options. Option 1 is pricier at $18,153 but repairs the pipes with cast iron, and option 2 would use PVC at $11,659. As the second option may not save as much in the long run, a motion was made by Mark Fitzsimmons to approve the NL Stock cast iron proposal. The motion was passed unanimously with councilmember Jacob Huff absent.
Kristi Weiland addressed the Council on behalf of the Stanley Community Association seeking approval to move forward with fundraising for and installing new playground equipment for Chapman Park and also installing a splash pad at Chapman Park. She mentioned safety concerns regarding the tall metal slide at Chapman Park, citing its age, stability and lack of ground cover and recommended putting new features in its place if it is removed. Haas said he would like the slide inspected before any decisions are made.
The Stanley Community Association would like to see more inclusive, modern playground equipment for all ages added at Chapman Park and the splash pad installed next to the tennis courts.
“It would be a draw to the town,” Weiland explained and added that the SCA would donate the splash pad to be owned by the city and raise funds to offset the cost of future repairs and maintenance.
Police Chief Lance Weiland mentioned the updates and improvements to the Chapman Park and playground equipment that the SCA volunteers have accomplished recently.
“My hats off to you guys. It looks really nice,” council member Laurie Foster remarked.
Council members expressed their desire to see more information on the specific costs of repair and maintenance for the splash pad in the future. A motion was made and passed to allow the Stanley Community Association to move forward with obtaining new playground equipment for Chapman Park.
In other business:
