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The Cumberland City Council utilized a recent meeting to catch up on some ongoing business.

Water Department Supervisor Chris Obradovich updated the council on issues facing the city, including problems with equipment at the city’s sewer plant and the status of an agreed order with the state.

Obradovich told council there were problems with a chlorator at the sewer plant that had to be addressed as soon as possible.

“How soon can we get these replaced?” asked council member Charles Raleigh.

“This is what we’ll have to do,” said Mayor Carl Hatfield. “We can change the scope of our coal severance tax money. That’s the money we were going to use for the water, sewer plant and maintenance building roofing… and fix this within a week’s notice.”

Raleigh made a motion to have all necessary equipment to fix the problem purchased and installed. The council passed the motion without opposition.

Obradovich advised the council he had spoken with Kari Haas (Division of Enforcement) and had been told there had been no communication recently from the city on the matter.

“She told me there’s not been any communication between the attorneys,” said Obradovich. “They are trying to work on a settlement, but they’re not getting any response.”

According to Obradovich, Haas told him the state plans to continue attempting to come to an agreement before considering taking the case to the next step.

“If we don’t have these things fixed, the next step is going to be pretty gruesome,” said Raleigh.

Hatfield said he had not received any recent communication from the state regarding the issue. The council pointed out all communication at this point would be in the hands of the attorneys.

“I doubt they realize that I’m the attorney,” said Jonathon Lee, who became city attorney earlier this year.

Lee took over the city attorney’s position when it was vacated by Parker Boggs. Boggs was the previous city attorney, leaving the position when he took over as commonwealth’s attorney in January.

The council directed Obradovich to supply Lee with the necessary information to contact the state and notify the agency the city has a new attorney.

In other activity:

* A motion was passed giving Cumberland city employees the day off on Good Friday;

* The council accepted a bid from Barlow Construction for repairs on the sewer plant at a cost of $7,280.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-451, ext. 113, jasher@civitasmedia.com