By DAVE SCHULTZ
The storm that caused considerable water damage to Bluffton’s City Hall the weekend of April 30-May 1 may be linked to additional damage in the City Gym.
There is roof damage to the handball/paddleball courts to the gym’s south side and there are some dead spots on the gym floor proper which may have been caused by excess moisture.
Mayor John Whicker wanted to formally notify the Board of Public Works and Safety to be aware of the problem. The board consists of Whicker, Scott Mentzer, and Josh Hunt.
Whicker also asked Brandy Fiechter, superintendent of the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department, to also speak to the matter.
It is believed that the problem was linked to the “spring event,” as Jon Oman, the city’s utilities superintendent, referred to the significant rainfall 32 and a half weeks ago.
No action was taken, but the board members brainstormed a few options. Oman, for his part, believes the city may be looking at the need for a full roof replacement.
In other action before the Board of Works:
• Brad Penrod, assistant superintendent of the city’s Electric Department, received the board’s permission to hire Pelal “Bill” Abdulrahim for the department’s tree crew. He will start as soon as drug tests and a physical examination are completed.
• The board recommended unanimously that the members of the Bluffton Common Council approve a sewage treatment agreement with the Wells County Regional Sewer District for service to the community of Kingsland.
• Fire Chief Don Craig asked to transfer $2,600 out of the fire department’s wages line item and put that amount in the overtime line item. The move was approved.
• Whicker said the city will receive $53,850.41 from the opioid settlement. The city will now wait for what the mayor called “a laundry list” from the state attorney general’s office as to what the money can be used for.
daves@news-banner.com
