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| | Wednesday, August 27, 2014
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Newport Utilities to upgrade it's Wastewater Treatment plant
Members of the Newport Utilities Board agreed Tuesday to accept a bid of $2.6 million from Komline Sanderson Co. of New Jersey for a new sludge dryer and other associated equipment. Wastewater Supervisor Carroll Proffitt said the current system is 11 years old and worn out. In addition the manufacturer of the old dryer is no longer manufacturing parts. The utility produces 1,200 to 1,500 dry tons of sludge annually, however the poor operation of the current dryer means only a portion of the sludge can be dried. Proffitt said so far this year 2,253 wet tons of sludge were dried and spread on local farms. Because the dryer cannot handle all of the sludge, an additional 2,900 wet tons was taken to the landfill in Lowland. Interim general Manager Sherry Frisbee reported that the Sewer Department last fiscal year showed an operating loss, and as a result a rate increase is anticipated in July, 2015. The maintenance shop roof developed a leak recently and so $34,334 had to be spent on emergency roof repairs. The utility recently obtained a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant earmarked for odor control and wastewater plant renovations. But Proffitt said the planned upgrades would have meant a cost of $375,000 for the utility. So the decision was made to reject the bids, and to scale back the planned upgrades. The project now will be re-bid with the estimated cost of the project, estimated at $165,000 for the utility. The utility recently received a fluoridation award for maintaining optimum fluoridation levels and an operational excellence award for ten years straight from the Kentuky-Tennessee Water Environment Assn. for no water violations. Proffitt also presented a plaque to Eastern Plating for it's excellent wastewater pre-treatment program. Board Chair Kenny Morgan also reported that the list of qualified candidates for General Manager has been narrowed to two. Plans now are to conduct confidential interviews with the two candidates. Morgan said the search process will continue to be closed to the public because both candidates are currently employed and do not want to jeopardize their current employment.
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