November 24, 2011 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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ty m,0000,ing ahead with wastewater repairs
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z NATALIE JOHNSON
The City of Shelton commis-
Dn considered a request to
ad repairs at the city's Sat-
ite Water Reclamation Plant
ring its regular meeting
today evening.
In May 2011 the city an-
unced that almost $1 million
damage had been done to
Satellite Water Reclama-
n Plant after rotary drum
• eens installed at the plants
adworks failed and allowed
rticulate matter and sludge
work its way through the
mt.
The particulate matter and
bris damaged thousands
fine membrane screens in
plant. City crews also had
clean the plant, which was
ltaminated after the screen
dfunction.
Since last spring, the city
been working with its con-
tractor Pease and Sons and
subcontractor Lakeside. which
installed the faulty plates, to
find a way to fund the repairs.
The city has held the contrac-
tor liable for the repairs.
Recently Traveler's Insur-
ance, which represents the
city's contractor, issued a
check for $250,000 to the city
as partial restitution for the
damages, said city engineer
Mike Michael.
"As we stand today we are
hqpefully getting closer to a
ritual resolution,' Michael said.
/
Repairs to tank number
three at the reclamation plant
wre completed in October.
Tle city funded those repairs
ottt of the sewer reserve fund.
Now the city wants to start
work on repairs for the other
two tanks.
Although the city has not
reached a settlement with its
contractors in the project, Mi-
chael asked the city to autho-
rize spending $250,000 to buy
2,000 replacement membrane
plates from manufacturer Ovi-
vo at Monday night's commis-
sion meeting.
"If we are forced to proceed
with the currently limited re-
serve funds, staff is prepared
to order the first 2,000 plates
in early December," a brief-
ing given to the commission
stated.
The sewer fund had about
$1 million dollars in it as of
June, 2011.
According to Ovivo, the or-
der of 2,000 plates should be
ready in December. After these
are installed, the city will still
need to replace another 1,400
membrane plates at the facil-
ity.
The city commission plans
to discuss the requested expen-
diture under old business dur-
ing its 2 p.m. Nov. 28 meeting.
Journa onoto 13_ Natalie Johnsor
City of Shelton Engineer Mike Michael asked the city commission
to approve a $250,000 expenditure to fund repairs to the city's
Satellite Water Reclamation Plant on Monday.
:ity he0000rs appeal on Mari Meds business license
NATALIE JOHNSON
upporters of Mari Meds,
medical marijuana coop-
ltive based in Belfair,
eked the City of Shelton
nmission chambers Mon-
y evening.
They spoke of how can-
bis helped them get off
prescription painkillers,
nbat nausea, seizures
d chronic pain and urged
city commission to ap-
)ve a business license
tt would allow Mari Meds
move forward with a
elton location.
However, due to conflicts
;ween state and federal
¢, the city expressed con-
'n with approving a busi-
es that may not be legal.
;'State law and federal
¢ as relates to cannabis
in conflict," said City At-
hey Kathleen Haggard.
"Because of the ever present
threat of federal raids and
prosecution you really have
to be careful of what you au-
thorize on the local level."
Having authorization to
use marijuana for medici-
nal purposes is an "affirma-
tive tefense" for possession
of cannabis in Washington
Star G Haggard said, but it
is still illegal to sell the sub-
stance in the state and fed-
eral level.
"All Mari Meds is ask-
ing the commission is to be
leaders - sometimes lead-
ers need to make tough de-
cisions and be bold," said
Dennis Xavier Goss, Marl
Mode' attorney.
Marl Meds' application
for a business license for
their location on Railroad
in Evergreen Square was
denied on August 31. 2011.
Business owner Robert
Wood appealed the decision
to City Administrator Dave
O'Leary.
While some aspects of the
business did appear to be
legal, others still conflicted
with state and federal law.
and the license was denied
again on September 26.
Another point of confu-
sion is whether Mari Meds
is a cooperative group or
a dispensary. Cooperative
groups, or patient to patient
networks, involve patients
growing for themselves and
giving any extra to other pa-
tients.
Governor Christine Gre-
goire vetoed provisions in
the most recent medical
marijuana bill. ESSB 5073,
which would make dispen-
saries legal.
The city also expressed
concern about plans to have
a medical professional on
site at the Shelton location
of Mari Meds. Haggard said
medical professionals can-
not have any economic ties
to an organization like Mari
Meds.
Haggard said the city
needs to be careful about ap-
proving a business license
for any business that might
not be following.the law.
"[The city] can't "affirma-
tively authorize anything
federal law prohibits," she
said. "Cities are in a pretty
difficult position right now
- we have our state saying
one thing and the federal
government saying anoth-
er."
While public testimony
was not included in the hear-
ing, which was a "closed re-
cord hearing," many citizens
spoke in support of medical
marijuana and Mari Meds
at Monday's meeting.
"They are a benefit to our
society here," said Kim Mor-
ris.
Lori Kent, a volunteer at
Mari Meds and the medical
professional seeking to help
patients there, said medical
marijuana is a better option
than pharmaceutical drugs
for some patients, especially
those going through chemo-
therapy.
"Our patients endure hei-
nous treatments," she said.
However, some spoke out
against Mari Meds.
Casey Breeze, owner of
the Shelton Patient Re-
source Center, which has
provided 400 Shelton pa-
tients with authorization to
use medical marijuana, said
he wants to fight against
Mari Meds coming to Shel-
ton.
"They run their business
in such a way tha I believe
it is illegal," he said. "It is
not run as a non-profit."
The Shelton City Com-
missioners had several
questions after everyone
had spoken on Monday.
Xavier Goss said that
Marl Meds gets "no finan-
cial benefit" from the ser-
vices it provides.
"The question of the day
for me is apparently some
benevolent soul is going to
offer something for noth-
ing," asked Mayor John Tar-
rant. "Who is going to pay to
keep the doors open?"
Commissioner Mike By-
rne suggested the commis-
sioners take time to review
all of the available infor-
mation again and discuss
it again during the 2 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 28 commis-
sion meeting.
See Marijuana on page A-5
Shelton-Mason County Journal -Thursday, November 24; 2011 - Page A-3