Cornell City Council; Wastewater treatment plant updates moving forward

By Julia Wolf

The Cornell City Council heard upcoming plans for the wastewater treatment plant improvements, during a regular meeting Jan. 21.

Dave DeJongh, city administrator, says crews are hoping to start pouring concrete within the coming days.

“So, there’ll be a lot of concrete trucks rolling in there,” said DeJongh.

DeJongh also drew council members’attention to a change order, to remove an old tank crews found when excavation of the wastewater treatment plant site began. The tank, part of the city’s old sewer plant operation, was thought to have been removed 40 years ago.

Floyd Hickethier, board member, asked if the tank would be solid enough to build the road right over the top of it.

“Most of it is right where the building is going,” said De-Jongh.

Council members approved the change order for the removal of the tank.

DeJongh also handed out information on cyber insurance, for board members to read over, before discussion at a future meeting.

“Do we have any protection now?” asked Hickethier.

DeJongh says they have some protection, but he hasn’t had a chance to talk to the agent about what additional protection the insurance will offer.

Members also accepted the retirement of Cornell Police Chief Brian Hurt, effective April 2. After 31 years in law enforcement, the last seven of which were in Cornell, Hurt says it is time to open a new chapter in his life.

Working for Cornell has been part of my career highlights, wrote Hurt in his letter of retirement. Being part of starting over 20 new employees in the past seven years, has been challenging. I take a lot of pride knowing most of these fine men and women progressed through training as new police officers, and are working all over the state of Wisconsin, as well as those that continue to serve our citizens of Cornell.

Ashley Carothers, council member, wished Hurt the best on his retirement and a lot of fishing.