Rincon residents may see smoke coming from their storm sewer lines sometime the first week of November.

During last Monday’s city council meeting, council approved the $10,995 expense to smoke test and video inspect the lines in extreme wet areas for infiltration. Tim Bowles, city public works and water utilities director, explained that he the testing was necessary, especially for the 9th Street station, which he says is overloaded.

The Georgia Rural Water Association will come out and perform the three-day minimum testing sometime in the first week of November.

“We will notify (residents) in their water bill,” Bowles said.

He also pointed out that they would advertise in the newspaper and alert the fire department and 911 just in case they receive any calls about the smoke.

In other business, city council approved a payment to Terry Lee Contracting for $72,568.55 for the final construction and completion of the surface waterline. In reviewing the paperwork given to city council, Councilman Paul Wendelken asked if the check had already been cut and mailed. City Manager Donald Toms replied, “yes.”

So it doesn’t really matter if we approve it or not, said Wendelken.

Toms explained that from what they could determine, there seemed to be a misunderstanding of what all was included in the amount.

Other actions by city council on Monday:
Approved the nomination of Scott MacPherson to the planning and appeals commission.
Approved the subdivision of lots at Carlisle Village and Villages at Towne Park East.
Tabled the purchase of a chain-link fence for Macomber Park to allow for bids on a joint project for netting and fencing.
Approved Harco bid for a facility decant discharge line ($17,530) and another Harco bid for the removal and replacement of 200x 22 section of road at George Avenue and 9th Street ($24,025).