WESTPHALIA — Aaron Lachowicz of Mid Mo Operations reported that his company has completed inspections of the manholes for the Westphalia wastewater system and cannot locate four. Lachowicz praised whoever originally drew up the maps for the sewer system and manholes, noting that except for the four that can’t be located, all others were correct with the map. He and aldermen wondered if the manholes were covered and would work with Alderman Delbert Wieberg to find them.

Lachowicz also noted that the manhole in the ditch in front of Dollar General has substantial leaks that need to be repaired. Mid Mo Operations will work on getting a quote for options for the repair and present it to aldermen.

Mid Mo Operations noted that the city will need sludge removal from the sewer plant by February and that aldermen should expect the extra lab testing required by the state of Missouri for land application.

“Even with the cold snap we just had, there is nothing crazy going on at the (sewer) plant,” Lachowicz said. “We checked it more frequently with the cold because you never know what might happen. Cold like that is hard on everything but (the sewer plant) ran like a champ.”

Mid Mo Operations will also conduct quarterly and annual lab testing required for the city’s permit and submit the annual report now that most of the manhole inspections are complete.

Lachowicz could not use a camera to inspect the sewer line near the Highway 63 Lift Station since he ran over the battery for the camera as he was working on it. He plans to do this later.

Lachowicz noted that the sewer plant and lift stations are operating without any significant issues.

• The date to file for the April 4 election was Dec. 27, and Mayor Tammy Massman and aldermen Delbert Wieberg, Stanley Heckman, and Jake Plassmeyer filed for re-election without opposition. 

• Tyler and Brittney Plassmeyer earned first place and a $50 prize in the Westphalia Christmas Decorating contest. Second place and $40 went to Nicki Bax Leverett and Kelsi Leverett. Third place went to Brian and Ashley DuValeus with a cash prize of $30, and fourth place went to Dennis Holterman with a $20 prize. 

Dylan and Sydney Drennen, George and Joan Capler, Richard and Joy Learned, and Randy Wieberg received Honorable Mention. 

Prize winners’ names and photos of the decorated houses will be featured in the Unterrified Democrat this week.

• Corey Jaegers is handling snow-plowing for Westphalia again this year. He plowed the streets for the first snowstorm of the season using his and the city’s equipment. He also helped with a recent salt delivery.

• Aldermen approved the following expenses: city fund ($16,361.52), sewer system ($6,305.86), and special road district ($5,219.40).

• Westphalia had the following receipts for the month: city ($11,823.31), sewer ($9,711.43), and special road district ($7,474.76).

• The city had the following account balances: city checking ($154,995.82), sewer system checking ($50,284.53), special road district checking ($32,131.48), and special road district savings ($5,113.84).

• Westphalia holds the following certificates of deposit: city ($439,909.38), sewer system ($522,536.70), and special road district ($522,832.43).

• The next meeting with be held on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m.