Aldermen on Monday discussed the continued work on an inventory of service lines that might be connected by lead pipes. Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann said Macomb has received a second state grant, this one totaling $40,000, to continue the city’s line survey.
Ohrtmann is seeking permission to use the money to hire IMEG to continue the inventory. She said the engineering firm has a strong knowledge of Macomb’s water distribution system. “We felt we need to make another big push,” she said.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has set a goal for municipalities to reduce the lead content in service line connections to homes. The IEPA has set a deadline of April for an estimated content to be reported. Ohrtmann said there are about 1700 sewer connections to be inventoried for possible lead content.
Also at this week’s council committee of the whole meeting, Mayor Mike Inman swore in the city’s newest firefighter. Fire Chief Dan Meyer said Madison Allen is from Bushnell and graduated from the law enforcement program at Western Illinois University in 2023. He said she served on the Kewanee Fire Department before coming to Macomb.
Aldermen also discussed an ordinance to renew the city’s ground lease with United Contractors Midwest for property at 101 Tower Road. City Administrator Scott Coker said UCM has operated an asphalt plant there for 20 years. “The city is a major user of that plant,” he said. The renewed lease would be for 10 years and the annual lease amount would increase from $7,500 to $10,000 per year.
Macomb resident Dana Walker addressed aldermen about the planned new city water plant. He estimated the plant cost at $10,000 per household. He urged the abolition of the city’s flat rate minimum water bill.
Mayor Inman opened the committee meeting by issuing a proclamation declaring January as “Mentoring Month” for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He said, “Every adult has something to share with a child, and every child has something to share with the community.” The mayor introduced Paula Rhodes, who has served as a Big Sister since 2008. She encouraged other adults to volunteer.
