Troy’s sewer funds going down drain; state seeks meeting

Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 9:03 pm
By: Donna Ryder, Associate Editor

By DONNA RYDER
Associate Editor
Troy’s sewer department has lost money during the past three years.
Troy Mayor Jimmie Hart gave the sobering news to the board of aldermen Monday night, informing them the town has received a letter from the state wanting a meeting in November.
Hart said the town’s sewer department lost $628 three years ago, $23,549 the following year and $16,166 last year.
“When that happens, we have to do something about it or the state will,” he said.
The base rate for the first 2,000 gallons of water is currently $9.85. The mayor said he thinks a 15 percent increase, or $1.47 more per month, will take care of the problem, but he’d rather have Municipal Technical Advisory Service perform a rate study.
Hart told the board he does not want to wait until November to meet with the Finance Committee, that he wants to contact the state now and let them know what the town’s plan is to correct the problem.
No action was taken Monday night.
In other business, the board:
• Decided to offer a partnership PPO insurance to the town’s employees. The new program calls for the insured employees to work to improved their health. Alderman Ralph Wheatley said it is mainly preventative measures, like having certain tests done and taking medication regularly, if required. The advantage to the partnership PPO is reduced insurance rates for the town and reduced out of pocket expenses for the employee. Every employee can participate the first year, but must qualify to continue on the lower-rate plan in subsequent years.
“It may be an inconvenience to do some things to stay on, but it will be cheaper for them,” Wheatley said, adding the requirements are things the employees should be doing anyway.
The board then agreed should the employee opt for the more expensive plan, he should pay the difference, which is about $25 a month for the premiums.
• Received thank-you notes from members of the Obion County Central High School Marching Band, from Troy Chapter No. 432 Order of the Eastern Star and from Joyce Turner.
• Renewed a CD in the recreation fund.
• Accepted a survey done on property behind the E.W. James store. The board voted during the Sept. 7 meeting to get the survey done.
• Decided to opt out of a program accepting building code standards and having the state perform inspections. The plan was explained to the board during the Sept. 7 meeting.
• Agreed to pay the bills after discussing which departments are paying for relocation of utility lines related to I-69. The town is being reimbursed.
• Learned the town should save some money for garbage pick up after putting the service out for bid. Barker Brothers had the lowest bid. Hart said the town won’t save a lot on residential, but rates for small businesses and dumpsters will go down.
Hart said he will present the matter to the board once he gets it all together.
Alderman Gene Gurien asked if the town could save money if residents in subdivisions were required to place their garbage cans on a designated side of the street for pick up. He said the truck would only have to make one pass through the subdivision, instead of two. He said, in addition, it would help keep the streets in better shape.
• Learned city clerk Cheryl Cranford is taking classes in Nashville. She has to complete 18 hours each year.
Other items discussed during the Sept. 7 meeting included taking electrical bids for the maintenance building and soliciting bids for a maintenance contract on the town’s air-conditioning systems.
Published in The Messenger 9.21.10