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It'll be a blast! Fireworks on tap for New Year's Eve

Staff reporter

New Year's Eve revelers can see the official ball drop on the Courthouse lawn and enjoy a fireworks display from the parking lot of Cooperative Grain and Supply, south of the courthouse.

Marion City Commission gave approval Tuesday to Dave Hett of Hett Construction and the Tampa State Bank to provide the display.

The annual ball drop will be Friday night on the west lawn of the Courthouse.

The ball will "drop" promptly at midnight. People are invited to begin gathering between 11:30 and 11:45 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.

The number "2005" will be affixed to a stand on the lawn.

During the ball drop, five "salutes" or flashes of light followed by loud "booming" noises will be fired. A traditional fireworks display will follow.

An area on the parking lotwill be designated for detonation.

Police Chief Michel Soyez reported Hett would have personnel to assist with keeping people from approaching the area where the fireworks will be discharged. Police officers also will assist with crowd and traffic control, Soyez said.

Water plant improvements

The commission took another step in committing to improvements at the city's water treatment plant. A contract with engineering firm Bucher, Willis & Ratliff was approved and signed.

The contract was the same that was presented at the previous commission meeting. City Attorney Dan Baldwin voiced concerns about the language regarding phase one and phase two of the project.

The city has secured funding to complete phase one. Phase two may be completed if the city secures grant and loan funds from USDA Rural Development.

City Administrator David Mayfield reported he had contacted U.S. Senator Sam Brownback's office regarding the city's application with Rural Development. Brownback's personnel told Mayfield that Rural Development had some questions for the city before making any final decisions. To date, the city has not been notified by the state entity regarding additional information.

Mayfield was instructed by the commission to arrange a meeting with Rural Development to determine the status of the application.

Improvements include the implementation of an ozone system for disinfecting the drinking water.

Scott Wetzel, an engineer with Bucher, Willis & Ratliff, said Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials are "leaning more toward ozone disinfection because it eliminates disinfection by-products."

Wetzel said having the design completed for phase two of the project, even if the city does not plan to construct it in the near future, will help the city show readiness in other grant applications.

"Eventually ozone by-products will come under scrutiny by KDHE," Wetzel said, but he said he did not anticipate it being "as big of a problem as chemical disinfection by-products."

Ultra violet disinfection may eliminate some of the ozone by-products, Wetzel continued, which also is being considered by the city.

The next step for the engineering firm is to conduct an assessment survey of the water plant.

In other business:

— The commission approved pay increases for city employees ranging from a minimum of 2.9 percent to a maximum of 4.9 percent. The increase includes a 1.9 percent cost of living adjustment.

— City Clerk Linda Holub will receive a $1,500 per year increase for completion of city clerk certification.

— Cleanup weeks for 2005 were announced. The weeks of April 18-22 and Oct. 17-21 were designated for residents to dispose of furniture, appliances, and other larger household items.

— Warrants for $18,567 and payroll for $25,246 were approved.

City offices will be closed Monday in observance of New Year's Day. The next commission meeting will be 4 p.m. Tuesday in the city building.

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