New London allocates $662,600
By Robert Cloud
The New London Common Council designated $662,600 for 2021 capital spending on projects and equipment at its Feb. 9 meeting.
This is part of a 10-year capital improvement plan, which allows the city to evaluate competing demands for resources by prioritizing and reflecting on its long-term goals.
Among the items the council approved:
• Replace an IHC flatbed truck at a cost of $157,500.
• Replace a dump truck with a plow at a cost of $140,000.
• Replace the radios used by police, fire, public works and parks departments at a cost of $200,000.
• Purchase a thermal imaging camera for the fire department at a cost of $20,000.
• Replace the city’s phone system at a cost of $53,000, using $45,000 in assigned funds and $8,000 in capital funds.
• Patching streets and sidewalks at a total cost of $75,000.
• Install security cameras at Franklin and Hatten parks and Floral Hills brush site at a cost of $20,000.
Other projects include replacing a copier, upgrading the police department’s server, upgrading the MS Office system, replacing the gym doors at the Washington Center and an ejector pit at the senior center.
The vote to approve the capital spending was unanimous with council members Lori Dean and Dennis Herter absent.
Mercury ordinance
The council adopted an ordinance to regulate mercury discharges into the city’s sewer system.
Ald. Mike Barrington, chair of the Public Works Board, said the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking to cut the amount of mercury in sewer systems to keep it from contaminating rivers and lakes.
Dental offices represent one potential source of mercury contamination due to the metallic amalgrams used for filling cavities.
New London’s ordinance will require dental offices to implement procedures and install equipment to prevent the discharge of mercury into the sewer system.
Dentists will not be prohibited from rinsing chairside traps, vacuum screens and amalgram separators in their sinks.
All staff must be trained in the proper handling and disposal of mercury and training records must be kept.
The ordinance prohibts the use of bulk mercury.
Dental offices must install amalgram separators by Dec. 31, 2021.
If they cannot meet that deadline, dentists must notify the city by Nov. 1.
Two hour parking
The council voted unanimously to limit parking to two hours at the seven south-facing stalls in the city-owned lot at 210 Lincoln Court.
The restriction will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for Sundays and holidays.