Comer gets good news, bad news on wastewater treatment

The good news: recent tests show a great improvement in the system after an aerator was installed. The bad news: The city was fined $300 for installing the equipment without permission. The city council voted to pay the fine.

In another matter, the city council voted to pay for the supplies used by the volunteer fire department to install water lines and a hydrant to supply water for a firefighting school on its property. The pipes, connecters and other equipment cost $2,400. The labor was donated by the fire department. The new line was equipped for water system expansion if needed.

Progress is being made on a walking path for Arnold Park. The path will be approximately half a mile and be surfaced with gravel dust. Excavation and a retaining wall in the back area of the park should be completed soon. Once the path is ready, the council will decide on the best lighting system for the park to allow nighttime use. The council is pushing to complete work at the park so that public use will increase. The members think that greater use will curtail vandalism.

The city’s new computer is performing well. The city clerk estimates that the final cost for the system will be around $3,000, which is a considerable savings from other proposed systems.

The council rejected bids for a lot on Maple Street and a city-owned brush mower. The group accepted a bid of $2,100 for a surplus backhoe. The council decided to seek more bids for constructing a connector door between City Hall and the new museum.

The Comer Police Department reported six arrests in March, 21 citations, 16 incident reports and one accident report. It responded to 181 requests for service.