BETHEL — Toby Walker said he and fellow Waste Water Treatment Plant  workers, Christian Brown and Luke Angevine, were working when the water began to rise Dec. 18.

At 5:30 p.m. with the power out and the emergency generator on, they could see that they would be unable to get out of the flooded plant entrance.

So they cut a hole in the fence and drove out the back of the property in Walker’s truck with the portable generator in tow.

For the next several hours Walker, Angevine and Brown used the rescued generator to keep the town’s pump stations operating.

By 11 p.m. they had to give up on the Vernon Street pump because, it too, was surrounded by deep flood water. At midnight the flood water was just 3 inches from running into the WWTP building. In the meantime, the basement had flooded with 62,000 gallons of water.

On Dec 19 with the flood waters receding they were able to clean all their equipment and conduct their daily labs. They were in compliance.

Walker said they pushed 1.1 million gallons of water through a system meant to handle 340,000 gallons a day.

“That’s how it went for us.  Pretty rough time. No one else had ever seen the water that high or even thought about it being that high … [Inspector Fred Gallant] said we need to start thinking about what we can do to prevent it in the future,” said Walker who along with Angevine worked 36 hours straight. Brown stayed for another seven hours so his co-workers could go home and rest.

The Board thanked Walker. “I don’t know what the town would have done if we didn’t have flushing toilets, and no power and no water, so thank-you,” said Select Board Chair Meryl Kelly.

On a happier note, Walker said both of his co-workers, Luke Angevine and Christian Brown,  have passed their grade one exams. We have three certified operators now. “Trial by fire … or water I guess,” said Walker.

Town Manager

Jackson said Natalie Andrews had sent a letter requesting a supermarket in Bethel. Jackson said she had received a response from Hannaford.

Jackson listed dates for all of the upcoming deadlines including regular budgets, capital budgets, discussions with town managers and drafts of warrants.  Town Meeting will be held on Wed. June 12 at the Crescent Park School.

There were a lot of variations between towns with regard to marijuana, said Jackson. With the help of the town’s attorney, the nine marijuana revisions will be combined as other towns have done.

Other business

A renewal liquor license was tabled for Crossroads Diner. Frank Del Duca was not present to clarify wording on the license.

Jim Bennett was approved as the At Large position to the Capital Improvements Committee.

Benjamin McCall was hired to represent the appeals board if needed for a possible appeal from a planning board decision regarding the height restriction of a building.

Cole asked about cell phone reimbursements. Jackson said the town contributes $30 per month to town employees who use their own cell phones for town business.

Kelly confirmed that Central Maine Power owns the property that the substation is built on. She asked Jackson if she could schedule future discussions with the Army Corp of Engineers to update Bethel’s flood plan.

Jan. 31 is the pre-bid date for contractors wishing to repair the Mill Hill pumping station; Feb. 20 is the final bid date.

Before they adjourned, The Board entered executive session to discuss the open position for Bethel code enforcement officer .

Tues. March 5 is the election primary, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at American Legion Hall, Vernon Street, Bethel.

 

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Photos: Furry friends

Next »

Third grade artist Thea Cannatella wins national prize