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Plant scrap nets city $80k |
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — Scrap pieces of the former St. Marys Power Plant have added more than $80,000 into the city’s coffers since the facility closed last year, a city official says.
Safety-Service Director Tom Hitchcock told members of the St. Marys Electric Committee Monday crews recently halted the process of scrapping out the power plant due to dwindling staff at the facility. Hitchcock said employees who were helping with the process have been transferred into other position, leaving only four crew members to work the site.
“We have a lot there but with four guys, it’s not safe,” Hitchcock told The Evening Leader. “So far we have scrapped out $83,000.”
Outside power companies contacted Hitchcock about looking at the remaining equipment at the facility. While there is more that could be scrapped out of the plant, Hitchcock said possible asbestos at the power plant is a cause for concern.
“There is quite a bit of asbestos there and we knew going in there was a lot in the old part of the power plant,” Hitchcock said. “We haven’t messed with any of it.”
Hitchcock said several municipalities and power companies contacted him about possibly purchasing some of the items from the plant. However as far as city crews scrapping out the plant, Hitchcock said the process is on hold until further notice.
“Right now we are trying to sell out what we have,” Hitchcock said. “We are done with the big scrapping.”
St. Marys Mayor Greg Freewalt said closing the plant was a wise decision on the part of city councilors. The mayor said once the remaining equipment is assessed, city officials will have a better idea of how to progress with the scrapping of the power plant.
“We did the right thing,” Freewalt said of closing the plant. “We have to evaluate what we have and see what it’s worth.”
Members of the St. Marys Finance Committee also met Monday. Hitchcock told members he would like to eventually create a Superintendent of Water Distribution and Sewer Collection to take the place of a position that recently was eliminated. The move would ultimately have to be approved by city councilors.
“This gives us more leeway in the future,” Hitchcock said. “My goal is to never have more than two supervisors.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 28 April 2008 )
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