Pump still not approved -

After several months waiting for the DEQ to endorse the new pump that was installed in the new well as a part of the otherwise complete tank and well project accomplished last summer with a grant from the state, the agency has yet to approve Pine Haven’s request.

Without this approval, Pine Haven cannot pay general contractor DMR for the completed construction on the new tank, which is included in the same funding avenue. Councilman John Cook admitted, “It’s frustrating.”

This impediment has created an issue for DMR, according to their representative Don McKilop, who addressed the governing body at last Tuesday night’s meeting. McKilop requested 95 percent of the approximately $39,000 retainage to pay his subcontractors “for work that is completed and in service”.

The town will retain the final five percent for work yet to be completed, which is contingent on the approval of the DEQ for the pump.

Because these funds belong to the state, the contractor must have the approval of the council and then the state must agree to release the moneys. “The way it’s going right now,” said McKilop, “we’re going to be ten months out before we can get the project completed from the time we got the tank in and the distribution piping has been put in service.”

McKilop also told the council that he plans to retro the warranty for the work already in service.

DEQ requested more information about the pump and HDR Engineering assured the council that the agency received all requested material. “That was in late April and we’re still waiting on a response from them, it’s in their hands,” reported HDR’s Michael Oakley at last Tuesday night’s meeting.

This situation also concerns citizens because until the town is allowed to bring the new pump online, residents are relying strictly on the emergency pump that was installed a couple of years ago, according to resident Joyce Johnson.

“I think that’s crazy. I cannot imagine DEQ just sitting there [and] allowing that. It’s scary, summer’s almost here,” she said. If the existing pump should fail, the town will not have access to water for fire suppression through their fire hydrants.

The comment was made that the Madison pump replaced by Moorcroft had been approved by the DEQ within two weeks; However, Moorcroft Public Works Director Cory Allison noted that because Moorcroft did not seek monetary assistance from the state for replacing the Madison well pump and was able to utilize reserve funds, the town did not require approval for an emergency replacement.