Trenton Upgrading Sewer Plant With ARPA Funds

By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor

The City of Trenton Board of Commissioners approved to start the process of getting the sewer plant upgraded, to be paid for by American Rescue Act Plan funds, during the monthly meeting on Monday, Dec. 13

“We are looking at improving our screening system. The way that they are designed has changed a lot. The system that we have in place is no longer efficient to clean the waste out.” Sewer Department Manager Dewayne Moore said. “One of our ideas was to approve upon it and go with a different channel and have another finer mesh screen put in.”

It was noted that the sewer plant was having a lot of problems with waste clogging the pipes.

“People flush little wrappers down, wet wipes. It is not a Trenton problem, this is a worldwide problem,” Mayor Alex Case said.

Phase one of the upgrade would include putting a screen into place to keep some of the debris from entering the plant. This would need to start with an engineering process. The cost of phase one work is expected to cost $610,636.

Case noted that the city had looked into sewer plant upgrades in 2018, and since then, the prices have gone up 20 percent.

“We have to have a certain time commitment on this money. We have until 2026 to get this done, but we have to be fully committed by 2024,” Mayor Alex Case said.

The Commission agreed to have Ladd Engineering from Fort Payne, Ala., to get started on phase one.

The commissioners also approved and discussed future purchases with SPLOST funds.

Commissioner Terry Powell would like to see restroom improvements to keep the restrooms open year-round at the park.

“It would have to have door closures, insulation. We would have to have an electrician and wire it up. I just want everyone to know we are working on it, and it may be next meeting before we get it approved,” Powell said.

The commissioners approved to help purchase new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) for the fire departments for $85,421.98. The county was awarded a grant for a portion of the payment.

A SCBA is a respiratory device that contains and delivers breathable, compressed air to the fire fighters working in hazardous conditions, also known as air-packs.

All seven departments have agreed on one type and brand, which will be interchangeable on all incidents, and will reduce the overall cost of packs and the number of air packs needed overall.

The commissioners also approved a new truck for Fire Chief Jerry Kyzer. A 2022 F150 4×4, equipped with a camper top and spray in bed liner, from Prater Ford, will be purchased for $40,885.80.

In addition, the commissioners approved the purchase of two new radar units for the Police Department for $3,190.

Commissioner Powell reported that the community center was rented for 37 hours for the month of November, and animal control had seven work orders.

Commissioner Kirk Forshee reported that the Police Department answered 806 calls for the month of November, including 439 business checks, 10 animal complaints, nine domestic disturbance calls, four trespassing calls, 18 suspicious activity calls, and 26 traffic accidents. 135 traffic stops were conducted, resulting in 95 citations. $16,036.75 in fines was collected.

Commissioner Lucretia Houts reported that the Sewer Department had 26 underground locates, three emergency locates and 10 sewer calls.

Monthly inspections included six remodels, two additions and one plan review.

The Fire Department had 40 calls for the month of November, which included seven fire related, six accidents, five medical, 10 standby, and were dispatched and canceled to 12 calls.

Commissioner Monda Wooten was absent. Case noted that the Street Department has been busy collecting leaves.

Case noted that Wooten was absent because she was sick and said that a lot of people had been sick lately. In addition, COVID-19 cases are going back up, so Case told everyone to stay cautious.

Case presented the financial report. The general fund balance as of the end of November was $561,095.05. Expenses for the month of November were $155,516.78.

Lecia Eubanks, Director of the Cherokee Regional Public Library, introduced Mindy Haworth as the new manager of the Dade County Public Library.

“I have officially been on duty for a week and training and learning more about Dade County and the city of Trenton. I am so happy to be here. I am excited to promote literacy. I am a huge supporter of literacy for all ages,” Haworth said.

Jane Dixon, a board member of Alliance for Dade, reported that the Dade EXPO – Jolly Holidays and Light Up Trenton events were both a huge success. She thanked everyone for participating.

William Back, Executive Director of the Industrial Development Authority reported that employment rate was up 40 percent, and Dade County has a higher than national average of wage rate.

At the end of the meeting, Case wished everyone a Merry Christmas, thanked Commissioner Forshee for his service, and welcomed incoming Commissioner Mike Norris. Case also congratulated Commissioner Powell on his reelection.

The next Trenton City Commission meeting will be Jan. 10.