By Chad Koenen

Publisher

A new state and federal regulation is requiring local municipalities to take an inventory of its water service lines in the community. 

During its regularly scheduled meeting last Monday night, the Deer Creek City Council once again discussed a new state and federal mandate that will require cities to eliminate lead pipe water lines. 

Deer Creek is applying for a grant to do an inventory of the water service lines in town, which can then be replaced with new PVC piping. Should the city receive the grant it will attempt to inspect every home and business for lead piping within the next year. 

In order to do an inventory of the water service lines the city will need to go into every house and business to inspect the pipe. The pipes that are lead will need to be replaced as part of the project. 

In other news

• Heard a presentation from representatives from the Wadena-Deer Creek School District concerning the Deer Creek water tower. The City of Deer Creek recently received a grant to repaint and make necessary repairs to the city’s water tower and the school representatives asked the city council if it would consider incorporating a school logo as part of the new painting scheme. The city council did not act on the request. 

• Made the following annual designations: designated the Citizen’s Advocate as the city’s official newspaper, set the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. as the regular day and time for a meeting, designated Wadena State Bank as the official depository, designated Pemberton Law Office as the official city attorney, designated Jayme George as the official acting mayor, designated Troy Beiswinger and Thomas Parish to serve with the Deer Creek Fire Chief on the Board of Trustees for the fire department’s volunteer relief association and made several other annual designations for the upcoming year. 

• Approved the resignation of Deer Creek Fire Chief Andrew Browne due to relocating out of the area for a new career in fire service. Browne was elected as the Deer Creek Fire Chief last year and will serve as fire chief through the end of the year. The fire department will recommend a new chief to the city council for its January 2024 meeting.