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The rapid response of city crews helped avert a potential disaster.
A water main break near Semer’s Park was isolated and contained on the evening of Friday, May 30.
“Due to the quick action of staff we got it taken care of,” said Harold Langowski, city clerk-treasurer and operations director.
Langowski and mayor Heidi Omerza both thanked public works staff for mobilizing after the city got report of “a pretty cool waterfall coming down the road,” near Semer’s.
“It was a water main break and we were able to isolate it so there was no service disruption,” Langowski said Tuesday night. “It shows the importance of the water supply line project. This is part of that project and why we have been prioritizing it for a few years now.”
Langowski said the break came on a 10-inch line from the water tower to the water plant and back to Sheridan Street via Central Avenue.
“We’ve had a couple of breaks on that line in the last couple months,” said Langowski. “This was by far the most major.”
There are two lines to the feed downtown, and Langowski added that “this 10-inch line is much older than the 12-inch line. We’re working hard to get the funding to replace both at the same time.”
The break occurred near the trial down to the Semer’s beach, with a seven-foot chunk of pipe that needed to be replaced “It’s all back up and operational and now hopefully the money comes through for our project through Congressionally directed spending,” said Langowski. “I’m real hopeful that it comes through and we’ll be going to bids on this and starting work next year.”
Omerza offered words of praise for city workers for responding on graduation night, indicating “I know some who got called from their kid’s graduation to help out with that.”
“City employees are always at a moment’s notice,” said Langowski. “They show up and get the job done.”
In other business, the council:
• Approved the hire of summer workers Jesse Oelke and Jason Kalar.
• Heard from librarian Rachel Heinrich that the facility’s stained glass windows are down because of the Harvey Street project.
That was the result of a recommendation from contractors in advance of blasting.
“They will be back up as soon as the blasting is done,” said Heinrich.
• Heard from police chief Chad Houde, who noted that traffic has increased in town with students out of school and visitors in town.
“There’s Little League going on right now, and there’s construction,” said Houde. “Please slow down, take your time.”
• Noted that a household hazardous waste collection at the Northwoods Transfer Station, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, June 12.
• Approved a residential rehabilitation loan for Eric Glasson and Lacey Squier for a Shagawa Road home.
• Approved in-kind services for Young Life related to the July 4 activities at Whiteside Park.
• Authorized raffle permits for the Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters and the Ely Arts and Heritage Center.
