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Local News

SWBCSWA elects officers, sets meeting dates

The Southwest Barry County Sewer & Water Authority held its organizational meeting Tuesday, electing officers and setting meeting dates.

David Messelink, from Hope Township, was elected chair; Wes Kahler, Barry Township supervisor, vice chair; and Barb Earl, Johnstown Township supervisor, elected secretary.

Jim Stoneburner, Prairieville Township supervisor and Matt Peake, from Hope Township, make up the rest of the board.

 

With Messelink assuming the chair from Stoneburner, authority Administrator Mark Doster thanked him for his service, saying he thought he was, “the best chairman we’ve ever had… I appreciate your counsel.”

Board meetings were approved for the last Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. from May, 2017 to March 2018, matching its fiscal year. Because it falls the day after Christmas, there is no meeting in December

 

The board also approved the purchase of a 2017 Chevrolet truck, with added equipment including a snow plow and crane, for a price not to exceed $47,000.

After being assured that as chairman he has the authority to seek legal advice on authority matters, Messelink said he will consult an attorney about Doster’s compensation, an issue brought up by Barry County Commissioner David Jackson.

 

Jackson contends that Doster’s pay is excessive for a part-time position; Doster maintains his pay should reflect his part in the success of the system. That issue, and others involving Doster’s availability to the public, has roiled the board for some time.

 

In pubic comment, Citizen Barb Cichy said she has a copy of a report from Prein & Newhof on the feasibility of providing sewer service to Hickory Corners and Gilmore Car Museum. She protested a finding in the study dated April 21 that sewer service to each resident in the Hickory Corners area was forecast to be $33,437 without future growth.

 

The board declined to discuss the document, saying they had just received it in their meeting packets and needed to review it.

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