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Pipe is stockpiled for new Bridgeport water supply  Share
The city of Bridgeport is well on its way to having its own water supply. ''The water pipe is on the ground,'' Mayor Max Schauf told the city council during the Tuesday night meeting. Schauf expressed his appreciation to Akin Seed Company and Agri Gold for allowing the city to stockpile pipe on their properties. The engineer will soon be staking off the route from the water field in Billett to where it will end near the Stoltz addition east of Bridgeport. With an urgent plea, Schauf brought a state bid estimate to the council for the purchase of a dump truck. The council approved the cost of $32,500 which is only the club cab. Schauf said he intends to purchase the dump bed locally. The truck chasis could be delivered in 60-90 days. Schauf also requested that the council consider the purchase of a pickup truck. In addition to needs in the city, a crew cab, four-wheel drive truck is needed for transporting city workers to the water field. About $31,000 was allotted in the budget for a street sweeper. However, the need for a truck has become a higher priority for the city. ''You got to give me some equipment and you got to give me some man hours,'' Schauf told the council. With a 3-1 vote, the council accepted the low bid of $450 a month and hired Brandy Clary and Darvin Hager to read water meters in the city. They will begin reading meters on the 20th of each month and conclude by the 26th. Council members Ladora ''Buttons'' Laughlin and Pam Hager abstained from voting, while George Zellars cast a 'no' vote.
A crowd attending the meeting voiced opinions in opposition of annexing the area north of the city into the city. The proposal was made to generate tax revenue for the city. However, Mayor Schauf honored a petition, presented by Dorothy Linder, on behalf of citizens opposing the annexation saying ''that issue is dead.'' Other citizen complaints were aimed at the condition of Illinois Route 250 and side streets where dead water lines have been removed. Schauf assured the citizens that the streets would be repaired by Halloween. While Mayor Schauf said that the budget ''bottom line is growing,'' the state of Illinois is still behind on its payments. Money that was due in May was finally received in July. The city sewer fund, however, needs revisited. The $4 minimum sewer charge is not enough. It is too cheap,'' Mayor Schauf told the council. He stressed options for the council to consider - that either the charges would need to be increased or it should be combined with the garbage department fund. In other business, the council approved an intergovernmental agreement which included four ordinances concerning the Enterprize Zone. Ann Emken, U of I Extension Educator/Lawrence County Industrial Development Council Director, brought the resolution for consideration. The agreement extends the date of a previous resolution from December 31, 2010 to 2020. Its purpose is to ''encourage business expansion and new start ups.'' Barbara E. Allender is editor of the Bridgeport Leader.
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