Westmoreland councilors press for repairs after wastewater treatment box freezes, question external adviser contract

Council members raised concerns about equipment failures and repair needs at the Westmoreland wastewater treatment plant during the Jan. 15 meeting, urging prompt bids and design work to protect critical components.

Dave Brown (speaking in the transcript as the staff member reporting plant conditions) said a "builder box" at the treatment plant has "froze again and busted," and that an external pump was damaged during the most recent event. Brown said staff have been running auxiliary blowers and refueling overnight during sub-freezing temperatures to keep headworks and filters operating.

"We will have to build a building around it because it keeps freezing and busting," Brown said, describing prior repairs and noting the cost of protective enclosures could run in the tens of thousands of dollars. He told councilors he would solicit bids, circulate proposals to the council, and design a structure with garage-style access that would allow a future additional filter to be installed without tearing down the enclosure.

Council members discussed concerns about spending on temporary fixes that might be incompatible with a planned plant expansion; Brown said he is coordinating with staff (a "Brian" is referenced in the transcript) and plans designs that permit servicing and future upgrades.

Separately, the council discussed whether to continue retaining outside adviser Penny Sullivan. One speaker said Sullivan could not produce a copy of her contract and had limited engagement; a council member suggested issuing a 30-day termination notice. Another participant said a formal vote was not required to direct staff to draft the notice. The meeting record shows the council debated cost and value of the adviser (the transcript references prior payments and a suggestion that the city 'doesn't need' the adviser any more). The transcript does not include Ms. Sullivan's response.

No formal vote on personnel action or contract termination was recorded in the meeting minutes; councilors instructed staff to gather bids and return with detailed proposals for plant repairs and enclosure design.