City moves forward to bring water to Global Fuels

Monday night the Dexter Board of Aldermen solidified a deal with the Stoddard County Industrial Development Authority that will provide city water to the Global Fuels Bio-Diesel plant east of Dexter.

Alderman Jerry Corder, who was voted to act as mayor due to the absence of Mayor Joe Weber and President of the Board of Aldermen Tim Aslin, was very pleased that the city managed to make the project work.

"I think Gary [Capps] would have been very happy to know we approved this today," he said of the IDA director who passed away last Thursday at his home near Aquilla.

Ordinance 4522 approved the intergovernmental service agreement through the IDA meaning that technically, the deal isn't with Global Fuels even though they, along with USDA Rural Development, will be footing the entire cost.

As part of the contract, the city noted that only Global Fuels would be allowed to tie onto the line for now.

"If Global Fuels were to go out of business before the 20-year agreement is satisfied, the IDA will pay for the remainder of the contract," said City Administrator Mark Stidham. "No one else will be able to tie onto the line without prior approval of the City of Dexter.

The reason this was a concern is because if, for instance, another chicken processing plant were to move in and tap onto that line, it could severely affect the city's water supply.

"What Global Fuels is going to use is this for is not process water," Stidham said. "It will strictly be for domestic use such as bathrooms or drinking water and fire protection, which was a major reason for why they wanted to go this route."

Also at Monday night's meeting, Dena Rawson, director of the O.A.K.S. Nutrition Center in Dexter, came to personally thank the Board of Aldermen for their continued support of the center.

The city recently made their annual $10,000 donation to help keep the center in operation and serving the people of Dexter.

"I want you to know how much we at the center appreciate all you've done for the center," Rawson said noting that the center's Meals on Wheels program serves over 200 people each day.

"In many cases, the people who deliver these meals might be the only people they see in a day," she said. "Meals on Wheels serves more than one purpose. Whether it be the meal, or the smile of the people who deliver that meal, we're here for them."

In other business:

* Police Chief Paul Haubold noted that Sgt. Tony Roberts has resigned from the force and has moved to Kentucky with his family.

* Water Department Superintendent Mark Espy clarified a misunderstanding the department has had with some residents recently. Unless it is an emergency, residents are not legally able to turn their water on and off at the meter because it is city property. A major water leak or a failed water heater are on the short list of things deemed to be emergencies. Anyone planning to do plumbing that requires the water to be turned off may contact the city and it will be turned off and reconnected free of charge. Plumbers bonded through the City of Dexter are also allowed to turn water on and off.

* Parks director Lawson Metcalf noted that the open house for the new gymnasium will be Tuesday, August 12, from 5-7 p.m. and is open to the public. Popcorn and soft drinks will be served.

* City Administrator Mark Stidham pointed out that some residents have a misconception about when limbs can and can not be placed on the edge of the street for removal. Limbs will only be picked up by the city in when doing storm cleanups which is an ongoing project. Several residents have done cosmetic tree trimming and placed limbs out on the street which the city does not pick up.

* The city has re-roofed, re-floored and is replacing the doors in the old gymnasium on Park Lane because even with the new gymnasium, the old facility is still very much needed.

cnoles@dailystatesman.com