Ashland Council purchases new 'ready to use' equipment for sewer department
Ashland Council Meeting
Tuesday May 3, 2022
KEY ACTION Council approved the purchase of equipment for the sewer department, totaling over $300,000.
DISCUSSION When Mayor Matt Miller met with employees in the beginning of the year, he asked everyone, "Do you have the equipment that you need? Do you have the training you need to do your job well?"
What most said, according to Miller, is the need for up-to-date equipment.
Recent Ashland council meeting: Ashland buys more property near Pump House District, two-hour parking will be enforced
"We have been purchasing piece by piece various equipment for our different divisions so we can help our staff do our jobs more efficiently," the mayor said.
One piece of equipment Miller referred to was the purchase of a mini-excavator for the sewer department, costing $71,683.
The department is planning on purchasing a trailer for the vehicle, said Michael Hunter Wastewater Treatment Plant director of utilities.
"This is a special night for the Wastewater Treatment Plant," the mayor added.
Council purchases crane truck
Council also approved the purchase of a 2022 Dodge Ram mounted crane truck, costing $165,460.
The crane will be used to help lift pumps out of sewer lift stations, Miller said, and the city has previously spent thousands on renting crane trucks.
The city did own a crane truck but in 2010 it "fell apart" causing city departments to rent.
The truck will be utilized by the street department too and is "ready for use" and was "expressed to be a top priority," the mayor said.
Operators of the crane truck don't have to be certified, which was expressed as a potential concern for Councilman Jason Chio.
"I think the description actually sells it short," Chio said. "It's a full-blown service truck with air compressor … it has a generator and it happens to have a crane on it as well."
Amberwood lift station will see a complete rebuild
OTHER ACTION The Amberwood lift station in fnront of Ohio Health on Amberwood Parkway rail systems have disintegrated forcing the city to repair the entire lift station.
Debris is collected in the lift station then taken to the wastewater treatment plant, located on 1630 Cleveland Ave.
A year ago, Simonson Construction made repairs to the lift station, Miller said, and contractor Allied Plumbing is using by-pass pumping until new pumps arrive for the station.
The repairs aren't to go over $90,000, though Miller doubts it'll reach that amount.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION The pickleball court, located at Cahn Grove Park, is almost complete, Miller said, with the grand opening date set for Memorial Day weekend.
The Ashland Pickleball Association raised $130,000 to transform the existing tennis courts into a six-court pickleball complex, according to a previous Times-Gazette article.
UP NEXT Council's next meeting is May 17 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.
Reach Grant at 419-281-0581, ext. 259 or gritchey@gannett.com
On Twitter: @ritchey_grant
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland purchases several pieces of equipment for sewer department
