New London hires affidavit operator

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? The New London City Council has answered the question of what to do in the absence of a public works director; at least for the time being.

The council convened for a special session Thursday evening to contract an affidavit operator for the wastewater treatment plant. The city was told by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that public works employee Mike Phillips Jr., could continue with daily testing of the facility, but the city would need someone to oversee and sign off on his results and test the treatment plant once a week. The city would have 45 days to get that someone in place.

Two individuals submitted applications for the contract position, Jeff Soper, who works for the Mt. Pleasant Utilities, and Allen Schillie, with Danville Public Works. Both individuals had the appropriate licenses for the position.

The council agreed they wanted a temporary employee that would sign off on testing, as required by the DNR. The council debated having the contracts run month by month or every 90-days, settling on a 90-day contract, which could be renegotiated and renewed at that time.

Schillie said he currently contracts as an affidavit operator for Middleton, and in his proposal for the city, requested he be considered as a city employee with a base salary. However, he said he would also consider working by contract for $550 per month, which could be renegotiated. Soper, who did not have a written proposal, said he would work for $400 per month.

Councilman Frank Staley moved to hire Schillie by contract for 90-days and renegotiate at that time if his services were still required.

The motion passed with a 4-0 vote, Councilman Tom Davis was absent.

During the meeting, the council also approved increasing public works employee Mike Phillips Jr.?s hourly wage to $20, as he has taken on a bulk of the responsibility since the public works director was terminated. ?He has impressed me immensely,? said Staley before casting a ?yay? vote.

The council also approved tiling the water way east of the SAGR units at the wastewater treatment plant and temporarily closing North Maple and West Washington streets on July 23, from 4 to 9 p.m., for a car cruise night.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the New London City Council will be held on Tuesday, July 5, at 5:30 p.m., at the City Office.