Hillman board discusses inspection of water tower
HILLMAN — After purchasing the radio tower behind the Junior/Senior High School, Hillman Community Schools Board of Education was given an updated quote on having the tower inspected during Monday’s workshop.
The tower which was purchased within the last two weeks will need to get a visual and physical inspection performed. Superintendent Jason McElrath said the cost of the inspection originally ranged from $200 to $300 but the latest quote was for $916.
From the maintenance and capital outlay fund, the district approved the purchase of the tower in the amount of $10,000.
The reason for the cost change in the quote was the addition of the physical inspection which meant the company would come out and climb the tower to do a more thorough inspection.
The board made the decision to purchase the tower after M-33 Access decided it no longer would be servicing the tower leaving the district’s bus repeater in jeopardy. After doing some cost calculations it was determined it would be cheaper to purchase the tower instead of relocating and renting, McElrath said.
It was recommended that the district perform the full inspection to cover any potential liabilities, McElrath said.
“Liability wise I would highly recommend we do that to cover the district in that aspect,” he said.
The inspection is supposed to occur sometime this week after having been rescheduled from last Friday.
McElrath also said he had been contacted by the Hillman Fire Department about moving its communications device on the school’s tower. He said with the help and support the fire department gives to the school the district should consider just sharing it with them.
Board member Charlie Arbour said he was in agreement with sharing and asked to consider sharing cost of the inspections with the fire department as well.
In other business:
∫ Hillman Athletic Director Scott Cordes said if the district decides to move to an eight person football team it must decide before the start of the next school year. Board members came to a consensus to hold an open forum to gather community input before making a decision.
∫ at the request of McElrath the board went into closed session to discuss superintendent personnel.
∫ the board moved the March 13 board meeting to March 20 so it does not coincide with basketball playoffs. The monthly workshop was canceled.
Tyler Winowiecki can be reached via email at twinowiecki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688. Follow Tyler on Twitter tw_alpenanews.