TOWN FINED
Floaters in Elk

The Town of Clay is an independent government agency that handles its own ups and down. Those "downs" are often kept quiet. It has been that way with most all govt agencies in County Clay. No one wants their dirty laundry aired out.
Whenever Arthur Jarrett was Town Mayor, the DEP fined the local govt $50,000 for the 150' wide plumes of logs floating from the Town of Clay Sewer Plant. We call that place the Log Factory.
Jason Hubbard was appointed Mayor about a month ago just after elected Mayor Josh Shamblin bailed out of the paid position. The findings and fine were issued prior to Hubbard taking office.
We happened by the Water Plant earlier this week after seeing the Mayor standing outside the building. During that five minute conversation Hubbard made public, yelp, the Town was just recently fined $150,000.00 for out of control discharge from the Log Factory. While shuffling thru paperwork, Hubbard found out about the violation and penalty and had had conversation with DEP leaders.
According to the Mayor, he felt that sum could be negotiated lower.
That happened back during the Arthur Jarrett administration with the fined being dropped down to around $10,000.00.
There was a time when the Town had a variant from discharge regulations that allowed for floaters to bypass treatment or full treatment, during special circumstances. Back then the discharge port was the pump station located behind the Farm Store on Main Street.
Just guessing, sounds like Town leadership needs closer scrutiny of the employees they hire.
No matter the amount of the fine, fines, they have to be paid and that's out of taxpayer pockets. Those overhead expenses can factor into future rate increases and boy that's always a welcome sign. Gulp.

File photo, Mayor Josh Shamblin from 2020