Anderson Town Council sets workshop

ANDERSON – Council members of the Town of Anderson scheduled a workshop to discuss rental agreement changes to Anderson Community Center and discuss how to utilize COVID-19 relief funds during their regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, Jan. 13.

The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. at Anderson Town Hall, 415 Hill Street in Anderson.

Mayor Karen McDuffie shared some of the proposed changes to the Anderson Community Center rental regulations. If approved, anyone renting the facility and serving alcohol must hire a certified security officer.

Another possible change could raise the rental rate or security deposit. The rental fees may also offer half day or full day pricing. Currently the rate is $150 per day. Council members agreed to discuss any proposed changes during a workshop and voting on the proposed changes at a future Town Hall meeting.

ARPA Funds

During the upcoming workshop Town Council will also discuss how to utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds that were issued for COVID-19 relief.

McDuffie stated the funds are approximately $50,000, and although they are for COVID-19 relief, there are a variety of approved ways the money can be utilized. The Mayor’s initial suggestion was utilizing the funds to make Anderson Town Hall ADA compliant. Currently the facility is grandfathered under old laws that don’t require compliance because the building was built before regulations were in place.

Other potential uses discussed included renovating the waste water treatment facility, increasing broadband internet service, and Anderson Town Hall building expansion.

Sewer Report

Bryan Colbert of B&M Services provided council with a sewer report. Colbert stated a check valve at the lift station had to be replaced twice within three months. He said the valve is PVC and is buried underground. In both instances the valve cracked causing the lift station motor to remain on raising the electric bill slightly. Colbert said he recommends replacing the valve with a brass or iron valve.

Colbert said there is an extensive wait when ordering lift station parts with some taking up to a year to receive. Council advised Colbert to price the parts along with any labor charges and bring it back before council.

Colbert also stated a project that will benefit Anderson is adding a water meter near the gate of the lift station and run a water line to the chlorine room so there will be a fresh water spicket at the lift station. “That effluent chamber has never been cleaned out and I think we need to clean that out in the next year or two,” explained Colbert.

Colbert said the effluent chamber is where samples are taken for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). He said although the samples aren’t bad, regular cleaning will make the samples better.

Approximately 400 feet of one-inch pipe will need to be run for the new water line. Colbert said he will bring a quote before council soon.

“I haven’t seen an email from TCEQ in a long time, so y’all must be doing something right,” said McDuffie.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of Anderson Town Council is Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m.