City seeks new road for sewer plant savings

The Cathlamet Town Council handled a variety of business at its monthly meeting last Monday.

The council approved a contract amendment with Gray & Osborne, Inc., consulting engineers for completing designs and drawings for a new wastewater treatment plant on land purchased from the Wahkiakum School District.

Mayor Dick Swart said one recommendation from the engineers could save $220,000 in construction: The engineers suggest relocating the access road. The road will require much cut and fill work and retaining wall construction where originally planned, said engineer Ken Alexander. If the road were located at the top of the ridge where the plant will be built, the extra work won't be necessary.

Swart said council members would visit the Wahkiakum School District board of directors Wednesday (last night) after The Eagle had gone to press to request the change in road right-of-way.

In other business:

--Alexander reported that his firm has received right-of-way permits from the state Department of Transportation for water main construction. The firm will issue a call for bids to be opened October 14 for the work.

The project will replace old water main along SR 4 between Boege and Fern Hill roads and along a stretch of Columbia Street between Jacobson Road and Erickson Park.

--The council voted 4-1 to approve a new ordinance relating to personnel rules and regulations.

The ordinance had support from council members and Public Works Director David Vik, among others who said it addresses current employment practices.

However Council Member Bill Talbott opposed the provision that defined the work week starting on Saturday and running through Friday.

Vik explained that this was done so that the town wouldn't have problems getting employees to work at the sewer and water plants on weekends. The number of hours they work later in the week is adjusted to keep within a 40-hour week.

Talbott, however, said employees should have higher pay for working on weekends. "Pay them the overtime," he said. "This town is cheap, cheap, cheap."

Also, Assistant Fire Chief Fred Johnson pointed to a definition of volunteer as someone who isn't paid. He asked for a modification in the definition so that firemen and emergency responders who receive stipends aren't considered paid employees.

--The council voted 5-0 to approve amendments to ordinances relating to vehicles parked and stored in public places.

The ordinance establishes a procedure for officials to have parked vehicles tagged and towed after 10 days if the owner doesn't move them.

--The council waived competitive bidding requirements to allow the fire department's First Aid Division to purchase an intubation device.

Firemen said the emergency medical service director had recommended the purchase. The equipment, which has a camera equipped tube for life support, is made by one company and costs $15,171.20, which will be paid from the county-wide Emergency Medical Services levy fund.

--The council approved the appointment of Tina Schubert to replace Sylvia Costich, who will retire this fall as clerk/treasurer.