NEW MADRID - As the New Madrid City Council continues their budget work at tonight's meeting, the purchase of generators to prevent flooding is already assured funding.
The city's 2007 budget will include a capital outlay of $150,000 to purchase two generators which will be permanently attached to the two main pumping stations, according to City Administrator John Gilbert. The decision to purchase the generators was made by the board earlier this month.
The purchase of the generators is the first step by the New Madrid City Council to prevent flooding similar to that experienced this past fall.
Following the September flood, the Board ordered a review of what steps they could take to lessen the effects of flooding in the community. Gilbert and Mayor Donnie Brown toured the city and visited with citizens in those areas with the greatest level of flooding.
Also Lambert Engineering was contacted. Chris Lambert viewed the most vulnerable areas and came up with a prioritized list of infrastructure improvements for the city, the city administrator said.
In addition, the city's department heads offered their perspective on preventative measures. "Ironically the suggestions of James Fisher, street superintendent, and Pete Taylor, electric superintendent, mirrored those of Lambert Engineering," Gilbert said.
"Top on Lambert's list was to install diesel powered generators for the storm sewer pumping stations," stated Gilbert. The main pumping stations are located at the end of Dawson Road and the other off of Waters Street near the golf course.
Also on the list are renovations to existing lift stations, sealing off some manhole lids in the northern portion of the city to prevent infiltration from storm water into the sanitary sewer system and developing a plan for checking and cleaning the existing storm sewer systems and drainage ditches to insure proper water flow.
Lambert's recommendation was unanimously supported by the Board.
Gilbert said bids will be sought for the generators with installation intended by next spring. "The game plan is to get them in place before the spring rains," said Gilbert. "We may never have another storm like that again but we are being proactive."
"We live in a flood plain; we know this is a potential threat," said Brown. "And we need to prepare for it."