ATMA considers water plant details

When the Antrim Township Municipal Water Authority water plant receives its upgrades, Brinjac Engineering recommends ATMA has someone on site to watch the project closely.

Dave Brinjac told ATMA members March 29 that it would be wise to hire or contract out with someone to monitor the work daily, especially if an accident should occur that affected the system.

"It is a very important project for us," Antrim Township manager Brad Graham said later. "He wants to ensure that the contractors perform as expected. Another concern is that contractors are working around a critical utility, the drinking water supply."

Graham is contacting firms available to provide that oversight.

As board members Bob Coladonato, Bob Schemmerling, Rodney Eberly and Chad Murray listed projects for 2010, they reconsidered whether to renovate or remove some of the lift stations as originally planned. The water plant renovation tops the list for the year, and two projects started last year are nearing completion - renovating lift station No. 15 and taking down lift station No. 4. That is occurring in conjunction with the installation of a gravity flow line along Buchanan Trail West.

A few committees may be appointed. Coladonato wanted some ATMA members to meet with some township supervisors to delineate the roles and responsibilities of each in regard to sewer operations. Another point of discussion could be on details if the water system is sold to the Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority, such as the dedication of roads, sewer lines and water lines.

The board also heard from engineer Ron Skutch and Ralph Michaels, owner of property at 2375 Buchanan Trail W. Michaels wanted to subdivide the former Foremost site into three parcels, and a sewer line ran down the middle. Skutch asked for a 20-foot easement so the first lot and office building could hook on, or for suggestions from ATMA.

Eberly was concerned about issues that could arise if the second and third lots were purchased by other people. Schemmerling wanted ATMA's engineer to look at the plan to consider all options, but agreed that any sewer line would have to be private and the responsibility of the property owners.

ATMA member Elwood Myers was absent from the meeting.