Water Tower in Westville Needs a Paint Job

The neighboring town of Brooklawn is considering the need to refurbish their water supply tower, also.

A representative from the Utility Service Company delivered a presentation during the February Borough Council meeting on the necessities of having the water tower reconditioned and painted.

Marty Mazella, from the company, explained that water tanks are a high-risk asset.

\”They are dangerous to climb in order to inspect and repair. It is a financial burden on the municipality to maintain the proper upkeep on the water tank,\” he said.

His surveillance shows that there is corrosion on the steel on the tower roof.

\”This can cause the loss of steel thereby endangering the water supply,\” he said, adding that if the company is awarded the job, scheduled tasks would be performed after completion of the painting, with follow-up yearly inspections.

\”Every two years the tank would be drained and cleaned, and structure repairs and touch up coatings would be also be maintained,\” Mazzela said.

He said cost of blasting the tower and painting would be approximately $550,000.

\”Upfront fees can be spread out for six months and the maintenance fees would cost approximately $31,000 per year. We provide the municipality with expert profession management of the water tank with a warranty that will continue to provide good water quality,\” Mazella said.

Mayor Russell Welsh and Council members will further discuss the project along with Donna Domico, Public Works Manager, and other department heads. The tower was first erected in 1954.

Council discussed the Web Inquiry & Payment Portal (WIPP) internet program.

Borough Administrator William Bittner explained that for a slight charge by the user, on-line payments with credit cards may be used to pay resident tax bills.

Currently, there is not a system in place for property owners wanting to pay the tax bills on-line.

\”It may cost about $2,100 for the software and maintenance fees,\” Bittner said.

Councilman George Baker has been pushing the idea for the service for a while.

\”I feel that the program would provide advantages for a lot of people,\” Baker said.

Bittner said he will provide further information to the governing body for their decision.

Mayor Welsh presented the oath of office during the meeting to Steven G. Flannery, who is now a Special Law Enforcement Officer II.