Site approved for Lawrenceville wastewater treatment plant

The Lawrenceville City Council has taken another step toward the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.

They approved the recommendation of engineering firm HMG of Breese, Ill. and voted 7-1 to build the facility on the former Lawrenceville High School property located at 503 8th Street.  The action was taken Thursday night after a presentation by HMG regarding the plant and the various site locations considered. The old LHS site was deemed the most cost-efficient option.

However, the city must still acquire the dilapidated property, which was sold in 2014. The city is in the midst of the legal process to obtain the structure after going to court to declare it unsafe and demanding it be remediated. Until that occurs, the project remains at a standstill.

In other news, the council did approve a curbside city-wide cleanup through Republic Services for early June at a cost of around $29,000. More details will be forthcoming from the city.

Following the conclusion of business, the newly elected city office holders from the April consolidated election were formally sworn in. Taking the oath were incumbent Mayor David Courtney, incumbent City Clerk Rodney Nolan and incumbent city council members Jim Dunn, Dawn Brewer and Theresa Greene. Also sworn in was newcomer Kelly Lewis replacing longtime Ward 1 alderman Wendell Stevens and new City Treasurer John White.