Glove slaps Hartley sewer plant with problems

An errant glove has caused headaches at Hartley's sewage treatment facility.

Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz reported at Monday's council meeting that a pump motor at the lift station near the sewage plant burned out this fall and needs to be replaced. The culprit was a leather glove, which got caught in the equipment and rendered it useless.

Benz said the motor cannot be rebuilt. He proposed replacing the equipment immediately while water flow is low during the winter, as the lift station's two other pumps can handle the current work load.

"If we have a wet spring, we could get in some trouble with only two pumps running," Benz said.

Quality Flow Systems, of New Prague, Minn., has a pump in stock, while another company, Electric Pump, of Des Moines, would have to order one on a six-week lead time. Benz suggested the city go with Quality Flow Systems so the equipment can be installed this winter.

"With one sitting on their shelf, I'd hate for another customer of theirs to come along and get it," he said. "Then that lead time is pushed out another month or more."

The council agreed with Benz's assessment and told him to move forward with the purchase. The new pump will cost $16,860.

• Start-of-the-year appointments

New Year appointments were also approved on Monday.

Erica Haack was appointed city clerk/administrator, Sheri Tewes was appointed deputy city clerk and city treasurer, Benz was appointed superintendent of public works, Joe Hengeveld was appointed police chief, and Phil Sweeney was appointed zoning officer

The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News was named official city newspaper, and Savings Bank and United Community Bank were named the official city depositories. Brandon Krikke was appointed city attorney with Harold Dawson as assistant city attorney.