Du Quoin Has Tamaroa over Barrel until June
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Tamaroa Village Board dealt with myriad issues involving the expansion of their utility department and the absorption of the Consolidated Public Water District.
One issue is the upcoming increase in water rates from Du Quoin. The village and their customers have no choice but to pay the increased cost until they are able to hook onto the Rend Lake Water District. That change should take place no later than June.
Doug Pollex of Southern Engineering presented a pay request from J.K. Trotter for $57,029 for work done on the expansion and a bill for $6,673 from Southern Engineering for inspections. The board approved payment of both bills and authorized Pollex to use the contingency fund to pay for insurance, flagmen and cable locating as required for work near the railroad on Kimmel Road and connection to the master meter in Du Quoin.
Pollex said that there should be about $15,000 left in the contingency fund. He added that the boring at the intersection of Rotue 51 and Pintail Road may cost more, as well. IDOT has additional requirements that must be met which may include backfill and concrete under the highway.
Former Mayor Bill Place offered his opinion on several issues, including the Village's policy on complaints about unusually high water bills.
Melanie Fisher approached the board last month. Her bill had risen from an average of about $50 to $227. Fisher said she is positive she had no leak. The board asked her to wait until she received the next bill then return to discuss the matter.
Kenny Plumlee from First Baptist Church said the church water bill was unusually high in October, November and December and is back to normal now. He was also certain there was no leak at the church.
The board was divided on the issue of whether or not to reduce Fisher's bill.
Place pointed out that in the past, if the water went through the meter, the customer was expected to pay for it. Du Quoin charges the village for it. Reducing a customer's payment to the village does not result in a corresponding reduction to the City of Du Quoin.
It was decided that Fisher's sewer cost be reduced to her normal amount. She would pay for the water. She has three months to pay the remaining amount on her bill.
"If you need more time, we'll work with you," Trustee Lisa Haycraft said.
The vote was three to two in favor with one Trustee abstaining.
"Nine times out of ten when a bill goes up like that it's a toilet," Place said.
Fisher said she had a leak earlier in the year, but had it fixed. Plumlee said the church's toilets were replaced sometime in December.
Mayor Curtis Stube announced that Tamaroa will begin billing the CPWD customers from Burning Star #2 Road east to Apple Road in February. He asked that a letter be sent to the new customers alerting them to the change and letting them know where to pay their bills.
The customers in that area amount to about 10 percent of the total number of CPWD customers. The remaining customers will be phased in later.
Place's final piece of information for the board was that Tamaroa and CPWD had signed a letter of intent, which requires CPWD to purchase touch-read meters that are compatible with Tamraoa's with any remaining assets before the transfer is complete.
Village Attorney Matt Foster said his office should have copy of the letter. He will look for it.
In other business, the board:
discussed the resignation of Frank Sharp who has handled the water and sewer testing for Tamaroa for the last 20 years. Sharp indicated in writing that he does not want to continue after the CPWD becomes Tamaroa property. Mayor Stube said he would speak with Sharp.
discussed the need for a new roof on the community center. Trustee Kirk Pestka said he good news and bad news about the roof grant. The good news is that Tamaroa is first in line for grant funds. The bad news is that there currently are no funds. USDA does not know when funds will be available.
told employee Joyce Mazzarella that the Perry County Sheriff's Department can rent the entire Community Center for training with the exception of he former Police Department and the Water Department office.
discussed the need for new dirt on the track in preparation for the 2011 tractor pull which is scheduled for Sunday, June 12. The village also needs a PA system, lights and electrical work at the track. Haycraft said it is time to hold another fund-raiser for the tractor pull fund.