Mingo Junction committee reschedules

Water and sewer committee postpones billing platform questions

MINGO JUNCTION -- A meeting between the Mingo Junction water and sewer committee and the city's water and sewer officials regarding the city's new water billing platform led to a rescheduling after individuals necessary for discussions were not able to attend Tuesday.

The platform, Muni-Link, has been the subject of on-and-off discussions among council, the mayor and George Stoddart, chief operator of the Mingo Junction Water Department. Questions have arisen about the newly implemented platform about the accuracy of billing records.

"I don't know the solution to this problem," said Bob Smith, village administrator. "I want to find out why we still have it. ... They can't get the books right -- I want to know why."

The water and sewer committee's next meeting was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, with the hope of having the necessary water department representatives present to discuss Muni-Link. Following that meeting will be council's safety committee meeting at 6 p.m. and council's regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Mayor Ed Fithen said possible problems could have resulted in people paying with credit card on time being charged unwarranted late fees.

Separately, Stoddart asked the committee for permission to have a temporary vacancy filled for a distribution foreman position. Smith disputed that, saying that Stoddart already has a laborer who can fulfill the position's requirements. Stoddart, however, said the one man is spread too thin, and Stoddart suggested other areas for which he could hire another laborer to ease individuals' workloads.

"We are running a $2 million operation with four-and-a-half people," Stoddart said. "It ain't working for us."

Smith mentioned how the water department had seen some staff departures, and Stoddart said more will leave, too.

Stoddart said one individual in particular resigned only verbally, allegedly turning in everything the department needed from him. Keys were not turned in, however, necessitating that Stoddart change the department's gate's locks.

Mayor Ed Fithen said that particular position cannot be filled until that individual has officially resigned. The individual is not getting paid for his missed shifts, Smith said. Also, Stoddart said the individual's behavior constitutes voluntary resignation, which was agreed with by Kyle Moffat, chief operator of the Mingo Junction Waste Water Department.

Stoddart said a position must be filled with a five-day internal bid. Afterward, Moffat added, a bid sheet can be put up for the position. Moffat warned about the importance of being specific in a job description.

As leverage to gain the temporary vacancy fill, Stoddart presented the committee with a letter announcing his intention to remove his license as operator of records for the water department's distribution system as of Tuesday.

Debate ensued between Stoddart and Moffat about Stoddart's job description, as detailed in the bid sheet, which Moffat pointed out requires the chief operator to "dispatch distribution system crew to locations of customers as problems arise."

Also, Stoddart said the water department needs improvements for its roofing and the removal of lime. Stoddart also discussed with the committee the necessary replacement of a trash pump at the Mingo Junction Pool, which he estimated would cost between $8,000 and $10,000. On the other hand, a small ditch pump could be purchased for $275, but ditch pumps carry issues with them, Stoddart said.

Fithen said, "We need to invest money in that filter."

Smith said the pool's closing date has not been decided but likely will be two or three weeks out, depending on the availability of lifeguards.

Earlier, a report was given by Moffat, who said a new air compressor had been purchased for $3,000.

Moffat said in addition that an autoclave, which kills bacteria using steam under pressure, is having problems with being shut off, and he suggested having a new one purchased for $3,000.

Discussions ensued about alternatives to purchasing a new autoclave, which Moffat said is about the size of a microwave oven. Moffat said old machines at the wastewater facility are beginning to have problems and will need to be replaced.

Smith said a considerable amount of money, an estimated "couple million dollars," has been invested in improvements for the facility during the past seven years, and Moffat mentioned various new commodities recently brought into the facility, including skimmers and mixers.

Moffat said the wastewater department uses bottles of chlorine gas to kill bacteria within the facility, saying that is a cheaper alternative to using ultraviolet waves, which require buying expensive bulbs once a year.

Moffat said the facility has one gas mask for each employee.

Also, Moffat said, the department currently has a part-timer poised to attend a 14-week Operator Training Committee of Ohio Class I class, beginning on Sept. 18, to obtain a license.

Moffat also said the EPA has not responded to a report he made about sewage leaking into a network of stormwater drains at the bottom half of St. Clair Avenue past state Route 7.

Councilman Adam Peeler was absent from the meeting.