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Staff photo by Annabeth Miller
The Senath City Council voted unanimously to purchase three generators to be used in emergency situations. The generators would be used to operate the city water tower and lift stations in case of an emergency or crisis.
Mayor Joe Lane reported the cost for the generators is estimated at $75,000.
"The money's not there (in the budget) for that. I took it upon myself and found out that we can borrow this amount for four percent interest for 10 years," Lane said. The mayor said payments would be $710 per month from the Utility Fund and would be financed locally.
"This is something that we hopefully will never need. But it would keep our water and sewer going if there was any type of disaster. I feel this is something we really, really need," he said.
Councilwoman Patsy Davis agreed with Lane and offered a motion to support Lane's proposal. The other council members unanimously agreed.
"I just think the better prepared we are for some emergency the better off we are going to be," Davis said. "Hopefully we will never need them."
"We have 1,650-plus people here in Senath. If we have a disaster, it's our responsibility to take care of them. This is the best way I know to take care of them," Lane said.
Fire Chief Kent Montgomery reported to the Council that a number of volunteer fire department members attended training sessions in the last month.
Montgomery reported eight firemen attended a training last month in Cape Girardeau and three attended extrication training at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.
Montgomery asked if department personnel could be reimbursed for expenses, including registration fees and mileage to and from the training. The council unanimously agreed to the request.
Montgomery noted more members of the department might have been able to attend the training, except many training sessions in Southeast Missouri are scheduled in the spring and fall, making it all but impossible for some volunteers -- many of them farmers -- to participate in the educational opportunities.
The drainage project on Thrasher Street was completed since the last council meeting and Water and Sewer chief Chris Brooks reported several projects in town have been completed.
"The work should help drain Thrasher Street considerably," Brooks said. Approximately 15 feet of culvert was replaced to enhance drainage.
Senath's Park Board has completed a number of projects in the last year and Park Board member Skip Crossno reported to the council on the board's efforts in the city.
Crossno represented the Park Board at Monday's City Council meeting. The Park Board has replaced or repaired several pieces of park play equipment and purchased a snow cone trailer. Other projects completed by the Park Board include:
ˇPurchased and installed an air conditioner in the concession stand at the baseball park;
ˇReplaced the floor in the Santa house;
ˇ Purchased trees and decorations for Christmas;
ˇPurchased materials and had outside electrical outlets replaced.
However, Crossno noted there were some "major problems" at Douglas Park that need to be addressed before spring and summer activities begin. Crossno said both public restrooms at the park need to be replaced. He noted water pipes in the facilities have been damaged in cold weather, doors have been broken in, and new commodes and basins need to be installed.
"There are also problems with the scoreboard," he reported. There are electronic problems with the scoreboard and it is estimated that the repairs will cost at least $1,100. The scoreboard was originally installed under an agreement with Pepsi, but there are now questions concerning the soft drink bottler's responsibility for sign repairs.
The board agreed to give the Park Board $3,500 to begin the repairs in the parks. In addition, Lane said he would check city records and if necessary contact representatives with Pepsi concerning responsibility for repairs to the electronic scoreboard.
"We've got a good Park Board. They've done a lot of volunteer work and have gone 'above and beyond'," Lane said.
In other business Monday evening, the council met Lisa Rojas and Steve Eastburn and discussed with them liquor license issues related to a Mexican restaurant opening in town. Rojas and Eastburn will make decide what course to take with the new business and if necessary meet again with the council;
ˇlearned from Joe McClain the Police Department responded to a variety of situations last month, including five accident reports, 2 reports of theft, one fight and three domestic violence incidents;
ˇreceived a report from Mayor Lane concerning two grant proposals that were recently denied;
ˇlearned the new city back hoe is expected to be delivered on March 24;
ˇMayor Lane reported a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of the new Dollar General store will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 13.
Comments
$75,000 ? at 4% interest and $710.00 a month for 10 years which puts us paying $85,200 back. Now you tell me this, can we not find something else more pressing at this time that needs attention now instead of putting all our eggs in a basket for a potential problem? We can rent generators if we needs them. I can not see where they can even rationalize spending this. I know it is for our water and sewer, but we have other options. The park Board did a great job and I thank each and every one of them, but that "trailer" is trashy! It takes away from all the hard work that the Park Board has done. It looks like we have squatters living there. There are plenty of us that feel it needs to go, but no one wants to listen. What we think or want as taxpayers and supporters does not matter, well if what we want doesn't matter what does? I expect more from the board that we elected. The mayor does not explore all options available he wants it, finds it and that is it, he gets it. No matter what anyone else thinks he doesn't want to hear it. Most of the board are his puppets, they can not think for themselves they do just what he says. The ones that do speak up are shot down. We need members that will stand up and say what is really on their mind instead of just playing follow the leader. The board has the power not the Mayor, but this board fails to realize that he is just a tie breaker. This board does not use their power. Please think about this when you vote, and read this article does it state that the Mayor explored several options concerning the generators , what were the options and what makes him feels this is the best option? Just because he wants it does not mean it is what needs to be done, also are you all aware that the mayor and a few others denied Jared's request to be on the volunteer fire department? They said that they did him not to get his job as an officer and a volunteer confused. I am quite sure if he were at a fire and he got a call he would take care of it. I mean other cops in other towns do it all the time and most of the time the cops go to the fires anyways, so why stop him from volunteering? He would be there and be able to help. I am sure they could often use a extra pair of hands. So many things are not done properly and our concerns fall on deaf ears. It is election time and it is time to make our voices heard.
I agree that the trailer in the park looks trashy and misplaces. Iam wondering why it wasnt placed in the parking area where people could actually pull up and get a snowcone and leave? Bright colors of paint on the side of it would help too so people would know what it was.
But, as far as the generators go, I am torn. How big are these generators that cost so much? I am thinking it is better to own some then to rent , mainly for the reason that if we do have a big earthquake it is possible we wouldnt be able to rent. The bridges more than likely would be down for a while. So no incoming or outcoming traffic. We would be limited to the bootheel area for a while. This isnt a bad idea but is curious as to how big these are and where will they be stored?