Town could still face fines for overflow violations
The Benson Board of Commissioners addressed issues related to overflow violations at the town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant during its regular meeting July 10th.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator Paul Allen and Town Manager Matt Zapp presented the board with information regarding the situation that came about after a visit to the plant by the North Carolina Department of Water Quality.
An anonymous complaint was filed with the NCDWQ on June 15 which prompted an initial visit by state officials the same day.
Wastewater Too High In Lagoon
During the initial visit, inspectors found the distance from the top of the water in the concrete-lined sludge lagoon was 1 inch from the top of the banks of the lagoon. This is known as the freeboard of the lagoon.
On June 21 a full evaluation was held.
Mr. Zapp told the commissioners the clean up is complete on the site and the town will need to have 2 feet of freeboard in the lagoon which will equal 220 tons of sludge.
Mr. Zapp told the panel options to remedy the situation include removing at least 400 tons of sludge. The Town of Benson will seek bids on the work.
The cost to the town is estimated to be about $155,000 to remove 1,130 tons of sludge to complete the needed freeboard and bring the plant in full compliance.
In order to fund the work, the commissioners approved an additional $100,000 from the water/sewer fund balance in addition to the $55,000 already budgeted for sludge removal. The project will ensure heavy rains do not cause similar issues in the future.
As for the possibility of fines, the town is still in contact with the NCDWQ and no exact figure is available at this time.
Preserving Town’s Tennis Courts
The panel also learned about fundraising efforts and the status of a project to preserve the tennis courts located at the Benson Civic Center on North Johnston Street.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Matt Smith outlined the plan. He told the commissioners a public-private partnership is needed to raise the estimated $50,000 to $60,000 needed to resurface the two existing courts.
As far as a timeline is concerned, Mr. Smith and Mr. Zapp said the necessary funds need to be raised between now and June 30, 2019. If the goal is met, resurfacing of the courts could be slated for the summer of fall of 2019, during the fiscal year 2019-20 budget.
The town has already received $10,000 from the Tennis Preservation Partnership and the town is applying for grant funding from the Johnston County Visitors Bureau.
As a part of the project, the Town of Benson will upgrade the lighting at the site and will kick off a campaign to raise the capital needed in August.
In other business, the board conducted public hearings regarding a preliminary plat consisting of 66.8 acres at the Copper Creek Subdivision that would see the subdivision divided into 85 lots. The item was tabled until the Aug. 14meeting.
In other business the town approved the preliminary plat of 23.98 acres of the Denning Tract to be divided into 33 lots; approved a resolution in support of the East Coast Greenway; approved the 2018 resurfacing bid award, and approved purchases of vehicles for the police department and the wastewater treatment plant. Story courtesy The Daily Record
