By Karen Larsen

South Chelan Avenue appears to be in line for a much needed face lift.

At the Waterville town council meeting on Monday, Mayor DeVaney announced that the street had been approved for a Transportation Improvement Board grant in 2012. The TIB contribution to the project will be $653,630.

Sheriff’s report

Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal reported just eleven calls  during November.

One of these calls involved a vehicle colliding with a city snow plow on Nov. 23. The driver of the vehicle was cited for obstructed vision. There were no injuries.

Gjesdal brought up to council the need for an increased contract allowance from entities it serves. The department is still short on staff, he said, which he believes is negatively influencing the work of the office.

Gjesdal said this does not require an immediate response, but asked council members to keep it in mind, and said that he would be talking to all of the councils under his jurisdiction and would have an exact proposal at a later date.

Budget

There was a public hearing regarding amendments to the 2010 Budget. No public comments were received. Council voted unanimously to approve 14 amendments, which covered items that went over and under budget, as well as unanticipated revenue.

Water usage goal

Town superintendent Marty Ramin said that the town is required to form some kind of goal every six years in terms of reducing water usage.

Ramin said that in the past, the town had raised water rates and distributed information on conserving water in irrigation.

Ramin proposed that the goal for the next six years be to reduce per person daily use by five gallons per day. Ramin said the town would work toward this goal through education. Ramin said that current use averages out to 328 gallons per person per day.

No comments were received from the public, but Mayor DeVaney emphasized that the staff is open to comments regarding water conservation any time during the year.

Council voted unanimously to approve Ramin’s suggestions for water use efficiency.

Wastewater project

Eric Smith of Erlandsen and Alan Schroeder of Anderson Perry were present to update council on the planning process for the wastewater project. Schroeder said that early next year he was planning on a meeting with town staff to hash out details for the project.

DeVaney mentioned that rate increases will be an important part of planning for the project. These increases were discussed as well as ways to educate the public on the sewer system and the need for it to be updated.

Council voted unanimously to approve Work Order No. 1 with an estimated price tag of $55,000 for the planning portion of the wastewater project.

Link transit

Link representative Wayne Hawks reported progress that had been made in addressing an anticipated Link budget shortfall. He said that if a .2% sales tax earmarked for Link on next year’s ballot does not pass, service to Waterville could be cut.

Mayor’s report

In the mayor’s report, DeVaney thanked Ramin and his crew for doing a good job with snow removal.

He also reported the cost of putting up street lights on Monroe Street near the fairgrounds would be $165 per light for installation and $55 per light per year for maintenance. Six lights are planned. DeVaney said that he and treasurer Marsha Peterson had found funds in the budget to have these lights installed. The proposal was unanimously approved.

The next meeting is set for Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Town hall will close at noon on Dec. 23 and will be closed  Dec. 24 for Christmas. Town hall will also be closed Dec. 31 for New Year’s.