Polson discusses wastewater plant, bicycle patrols

Wet spring conditions have slowed initial progress on the construction of Polson’s new wastewater treatment facility.

Speaking at the June 5 city commission meeting, Kevin Johnson, project manager with the civil engineering firm DOWL, said that crews are currently between two and three weeks behind schedule since breaking ground in mid-April.

Johnson said saturated soils have posed problems for excavators as they work to lay the foundation for the estimated $17.2 million facility.

“Each time it rains an eighth of an inch, we loose some time,” he said, adding that work has stopped multiple times in order to avoid doing “more harm than good.”

Johnson said construction subcontractor Swank Enterprises plans to adjust its work sequence to maintain the overall 18-month project schedule.

The city is charged with improving its wastewater treatment facility after it was cited in 2008 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to meet discharge standards on multiple occasions.

To come into compliance, the new facility will feature an upgraded headworks and filtration area as well as a sequencing batch reactor that breaks down waste using biological processes.

According to a monthly status update presented to commissioners by Johnson, construction costs totaled $650,000 during the first 40 days of the project.

Johnson said that crews plan on installing rebar and pouring concrete for foundations this week.

“They’re chomping at the bit for the weather to cooperate,” he said.

In other discussion at the June 5 meeting, Polson Police Chief Wade Nash introduced commissioners to the department’s new bicycle program.

Officer Keith Deetz recently became the city’s first pedal-powered policeman after completing a week long training course in Bozeman.

“I’ve gotten a lot of positive comments already,” Nash said.

Nash said he decided to pursue a bicycle program in response to safety concerns from people using Polson’s growing network of recreational trails.

“We had a lot of transients coming through using walking paths as sleeping areas,” Nash said.

Nash said the department will use two bicycles purchased through a state crime control grant to patrol the city’s trails and downtown business area. While Deetz was selected as the first officer to undergo training, Nash said he hopes to eventually have the entire force bicycle certified.

“I know it sounds like I’ll just put somebody on a bicycle,” Nash said. “But there’s actually a lot more liability that comes with that.”

Deetz said that during his week on patrol he noticed the opportunity for improved communication with the community.

“The days that I’m on the bike, I smile more talking to people than my normal shift,” Deetz said.

Mayor Heather Knutson praised the effort and expressed appreciation for the extra patrols.

“I have used the trails and been a little bit cautious and on edge myself,” she said. “I think monitoring and making sure that people know there is a presence is great.”