Energy cabinet reduces fine, imposes plan for maintenance
By Nila Harris
BUTLER — At its April meeting, Butler City Council decided to hire NKF Contracting to bring the city sewage treatment plant into compliance.
At its May 20 meeting, council learned that the city has been restored to commonwealth energy cabinet regulations, and that the penalty posed against the city was reduced from a $6,000 to $2,000 fine.
The city also will be put on a corrective action plan to maintain the system.
Former mayor Greg McElfresh asked council why the compliance violations hadn’t been known earlier. The plant was in compliance when he left office at the end of 2022, McElfresh said.
Mayor Mason Taylor responded that he is uncertain why it was not brought before the city’s attention earlier. That’s an energy department question, he said.
FIRE REPORT
In its monthly report, the fire department noted that a truck used on an emergency run had two tires blown out during the run at an estimated damage of $4,500 to $5,000, according to Rodney Miles. The tires were put on last year but were recaps.
Concern was expressed by council that an emergency vehicle should not have recaps and that any vehicle used should be checked prior to the emergency.
The department report also noted participation in Safety Day at Southern Elementary School, and that a Butler truck was used for hose testing.
POLICE REPORT
Police Chief Ken Hale reported that there had been 90 calls for service in the city for the past month.
He also said all recalls on the cruiser have been fixed.
Hale said he would participate in a mock disaster drill on May 23.
The police department is entering in an inter-local agreement with Florence. The city will be able to use a unit in case of an emergency such as a flood or tornado.
An audit conducted on the police department showed them to be in compliance, Hale said.
A resident of Amber Way would like to have a speed limit sign posted on this street. Other council members spoke concerns about speeding within the city and children being out past curfew. Hale stated that the curfew is 10 p.m. and that he tries to go to different areas of the city to monitor. He suggested that if residents see someone out past curfew, they should call him.
The mayor wants to investigate getting more police support for Hale to provide additional protection for the city.
OTHER BUSINESS
• The mayor received an email stating that the last day for local Pendleton County 911 dispatch had been moved to June 15. State police will take over dispatch services.
Taylor said he was informed that the city must purchase a CAD system to use the state police services. The cost will initially be $500 per user per year, then will drop to $170.
Hale said there will be a meeting 10 a.m. June 24 at the dispatch center.
• Council held the first reading of the 2024-25 annual budget ordinance. Discussion was held about line items and the first reading was approved. The second reading will take place at the June 3 council meeting.
The council looked over the Municipal Road Aid Cooperative Agreement, and attorney Joev Verax was available by phone to discuss.
This agreement provides a yearly reimbursement for work completed on roads. The state asked for verification of roads in the city.
Following state reimbursement, there will be $120,000 in the road fund. Next roads slated for repair are Main St., Matilda and part of Peoples.
• Councilperson Pat Taylor expressed concerns about the water testing kits, who had them and where they are kept.
She said she didn’t have a problem replacing the $600 kits when they were old or in need of replacement but didn’t like to have to replace due to negligence.
It was suggested that after the kits are used, they should be stored in the city building.
• Councilperson Terri Bush said a resident asked if she could plant a bamboo fence on her property. Attorney Verax will look over the city ordinance about this but stated that bamboo was invasive and could cause damage to city streets and sidewalks.
• Resident Jimmy Brossart expressed concern over three dead trees that need to be removed from the alley by Central Street. He knew that the city had been quoted prices of $1,500 per tree. He offered to do the work if the city would provide the lift.
Verax said that the city could be held liable if Brossart does not have the required insurance. No action was taken.
• The city’s park old playground equipment will be removed by city workers. New equipment purchased through a state matching funds grant will be installed with the help of the Butler Lion’s Club and the Masons.
No date was set for the removal or installation.
• The mayor brought to the council’s attention about the sampler cost that Nathan Fields from NKF Contracting suggested for the city.
Currently, the city is renting samplers for $270 a week. Two quotes for new samplers were $11,555 and $12,763. Fields could provide samplers for $150 a week.
No action was taken. This item will be discussed further at the June meeting.