Scranton city officials are considering their options for the operation of their water and sewer departments after long-time operator Dee Jay Byerly submitted his resignation recently. Temporary licensed operators have been obtained but the council is researching alternatives as it heads into the new year.
Byerly, the long-time maintenance and utility operator, submitted his resignation in late October; the resignation was effective Nov. 7. A second maintenance employee, Jerry Boyd, retired earlier in the fall.
At a special meeting Oct. 21, Chad Kirk, who had previously worked for the city, was hired to fill the vacancy left by Boyd. The council approved his position of 20 hours per week at a starting wage of $10.50 per hour.
With Byerly’s resignation, the council voted on Oct. 31, to increase Kirk’s position to 40 hours per week, to be re-evaluated in the future. City officials then began seeking licensed operators to handle the operation of the water and sewer plants on a part-time basis.
Bob South attended the Nov. 11 meeting of the council to discuss overseeing the lagoon until April. The council approved his employment as an affidavit operator for the lagoon at the cost of $600 per month, good until April.
At a special meeting of the council Nov. 21, the council hired Jim Jones of Bayard as an affidavit operator of the water plant at the rate of $600 per month.
Other action taken recently by the council:
- Installation of a damper at the water plant by Drees Company at a cost of $332.
- Appointment of mayor Rodney Walker, clerk Melinda Hinners, Dawn Rudolph, B J Wright, Jerry Boyd, Marilyn Jacobsen, Craig MacDonald and Diane Kneifl to the steering committee for the Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Ordinance update.
Library director Ashley Squibb gave the monthly library report on the Halloween party, adult programing and shutting water off in the old building. Mayor Walker reported on the Community Center: additional concrete work, rentals and finishing the interior so that City Hall can move to the new office.
Kirk reported on maintenance issues including snow fence, oil changes in the loaders, water plant call out and switching to well No. 3.
The council discussed the sale of city property. There is some interest in one of the city-owned lots. Additional information will be gathered before the lots are advertised. Seeding Pond Park and an update on the SEARCH grant application were considered by the council. ~The Scranton Journal
