Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Priceville Town Council unanimously approved the use of up to 115 grinder pumps as a sewage option in areas where gravity flow sewer is unavailable at a regular meeting June 13.

The move was prompted by a request from the developers of Woodland Farm Subdivision for approval to install the pumps in 61 single family homes to be constructed in phase one of the 38-acre residential development.

A discussion of the pros and cons of grinder pumps versus gravity flow sewer was raised in a work session prior to the regular meeting.

“I’d say half the towns in our area allow the use of grinder pumps in homes and businesses where gravity flow sewer is either not practical or cost-effective,” said Mayor Melvin Duran. “We ran some numbers on  providing gravity flow sewer to phase one of this development and found it would cost the town over $90,000.”

Town engineer Sonny Wright said gravity flow sewer is the better option when considering the longevity of a grinder pump and the long-term repair and replacement costs to the homeowner.

Town license inspector Chip Spicer reported that the life of a grinder pump is about 20 years. He added that the town would have no responsibility for the pump or the service line leading to the main sewer line.

A public hearing was conducted on an alcohol license request from Nikki Patel and Kalpesh Patel, new owners of Raceway #6710. In the absence of comment, the hearing was closed, rules were suspended to give immediate consideration and unanimous approval was given to a resolution approving the license request. Under the license, the business is allowed to sell retail beer and table wine for off-premises use.

A resolution was approved requesting the Morgan County Commission to provide funding for the Linda Duran Public Library in fiscal 2016-2017.

The council acted on other matters as follows:

•Approved a resolution requesting the Morgan County Commission to fund the 2016 Priceville Cruise In antique and classic car show in the amount of $1,000

•Approved $4,576 to Gigaparts for Phase 2 cameras to be installed in Veterans Park and parking lot

•Approved $2,125 for a LED back light kit for the municipal building clock

•Approved $490 to Mackin’s Business Systems Inc. for the repair of the Lektriever file unit in the administration office

•Approved $490 to Mackin’s Business Systems Inc. for a full maintenance agreement on the Lektriever file unit for one year, effective June 9, 2016, through June 8, 2017.

•Approved $100 to Priceville High School for a video advertisement FY 2016-2017 basketball games

•Approved $349 for an upgrade to the internet access system at the Priceville Boys and Girls Club

•Approved $750.36 and other expenses for Police Chief Billy Peebles to attend the AACOP Summer Conference in Orange Beach from July 31 to Aug. 3, 2016

•Approved $125 and other expenses for town clerk Connie Childers to attend the Alabama Association of Municipal Clerks Summer Conference training in Montgomery June 22-24

•Approved $90 for fire investigator certification for Priceville police officer Cpl. Herman Davis

•Approved up to $40,000 to purchase miscellaneous supplies and materials for new drainage culverts on Cedar Street

•Approved $500 to purchase 100 information kids for a “Refuse To Be A Victim” course to be scheduled at a later date.

•Approved $850 for taser recertification for police officers

•Approved $4,000 for the purchase of ammunition for the police department

•Approved payment of bills totaling $85,394.46