The city of Jamestown and its Frankfort-based engineering firm, Kenvirons, Inc., recently received an award in engineering excellence for the city's new water treatment facility, according to Mayor Brooks Bates.

The announcement was made during the regular monthly meeting of the Jamestown City Council last Thursday.

Bates said the American Council of Engineering Companies' Kentucky chapter gave out the award.

“The engineering excellence award is given to the project that demonstrates a high degree of innovation and efficiency in engineering value,” Bates said.

The multi-million dollar facility was opened and dedicated last fall and allows the city to produce as much as 6 million gallons of water each day.

The new treatment plant utilizes membrane filtration system which provides a physical barrier against bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens and produces a very high quality drinking water, according to city officials.

The city and engineering company were presented the award on March 10 at the Frankfort Country Club. Representing the city at the award ceremony were Mayor Brooks Bates, Public Works Director Ottis Skaggs, City Clerk Tyler McGowan, Assistant City Clerk Debbie Conner and Kim Weston, the city's former clerk as well as Vaughn Williams, Randall Russell and Bo Ellison from Kenvirons, Inc.

In other happenings at the meeting:

• Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Landers of the Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department spoke to the council about a 1982 model pumper truck to replace the fire department's 1970 pumper truck, which is in need of numerous repairs.

The 1982 diesel truck being is in good condition and will pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute, 500  more than the 1970 pumper, according to Landers.

The newer pumper, which comes from a fire department in Louisville, has just 73,000 miles on it while the pump has only been used 168 hours, he said.

After hearing Landers speak, the city council voted to approve the $8,000 purchase as long as the truck is certified and meets all state regulations, which Landers guaranteed.

• City leaders accepted a low bid of $39,491.64 from Lawhorn Ford in Russell Springs for a new, extended cab pickup truck for the Jamestown Fire Department.

The city then amended the budget for the purchase of the vehicle. Franklin Motors had also submitted a bid of $40,166 for the truck.

• The city voted to amend the budget $475 for police printing and advertising, $700 for new police uniforms and $1,900 for road salt from Street M&R.

• A bid from Morgan Sanitation to take over the city’s garbage pick-up was accepted by the council. Bates said no city employee will lose their job as a result and there will be no rise in rates due to the change in pick-up. The city has also chosen to keep their garbage truck that is currently used for pick-up.