SALEM–The utilities commission announced that day-to-day operations at the utilities department have been turned over to the Assistant Superintendent Butch Donnalley in its April meeting.

“Under the responsibilities that have been given to the utilities commission, I am announcing that effective immediately the duties of day-to-day operation and personnel will be given over to the assistant superintendent,” said Utilities Commission Chairman Bob Hodgson.

The announcement followed a nearly 45-minute executive session for the discussion of the purchase of property and contract negotiations, immediately prior to the meeting’s adjournment. Donnalley will be taking over supervision of these duties from current Utilities Superintendent Don Weingart, who has served in the position since 1985, and began his career with the department in 1952.

“It’s necessary for where the department needs to go moving forward,” said Hodgson when asked why the commissioners felt this change in leadership was necessary.

Hodgson also announced that the department was currently in ongoing negotiations with the Ohio Department of Nature to supply water to one of their facilities, and that it had received a contract offer from Benesch Engineering for design and monitoring services for a second water line at Freshmark up to $17,000 following the executive session. A subsequent motion approving the contract offer from Benesh was approved unanimously by commissioners.

Construction has begun on phase three improvements at the wastewater treatment plant, with contractor Stanley Miller Construction completing a silk fence around the perimeter and equipment and crews safely in place on the property and further, substantive work to follow engineer approval soon.

Further progress has also been made on the department’s plan to install three SolarBees in the East Cold Run Reservoir, and two in the Spring Valley Reservoir to address issues caused by annual algae blooms, which has been awaiting approval from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency since November. Benesch Engineering has notified the Ohio EPA that they would be moving forward with the bidding process and to contact them if they had any issues with the proposal which they said, “put the ball in the EPA’s court regarding the project.” They felt it was necessary to go this route to ensure the bidding process and subsequent installation could be completed in time to actually combat the annual algae bloom within the reservoirs.

The geotechnical study required prior to further progress on phase one of the department’s water treatment plant improvements is expected to begin sometime within the next few weeks. Hodgson also said that the department’s application for a congressional loan to help fund the project had been completed and that the department’s chances of being selected “seemed favorable.”

Commissioners also received an update on the city’s water asset management plan. Joe Lawrie of Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, who has been overseeing the update, is currently on paternity leave, and is expected to return to the office on a full-time basis May 8, and will then complete the remaining updates required.

Other items authorized included entrance into easement and potential lease agreements required to conduct repairs on the damn at the East Cold Run Reservoir.

The utilities commission will meet next 4 p.m. May 16.