6
city news
october1
2015
Council Considers Additional WWTP Improvements

City Administrator Josette
Mitchell informed the City Council at
their September 21, 2015 meeting that
the city engineer for the Waste Water
Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade proj-
ect is recommending a change order to
the project to include additional treat-
ment for ammonia.

According to a letter sent
to the City by Tetra Tech engineer
Gordon Munro, it became clear during
design and permitting of the WWTP
improvements, on which construction
has recently begun, that DEQ may
require the City to provide additional
treatment for ammonia during discharge
of winter effluent. The City’s current
permit does not require treatment for
ammonia but, according to Munro, the
new permit that will be formulated at the
end of construction will include winter
ammonia limits, meaning the City would
be out of compliance as soon as the new
permit is written.

Munro suggested the City take
the opportunity to include predesign, de-
sign and construction of a winter ammo-
nia treatment system as a change order
to the current project and include it in the
funding package already approved, rath-
er than go back and try to get additional
funding after the project is complete.
Munro did not provide an estimate of the
cost for design and construction.

What’s Happening at the
Vernonia Library
3 rd Thursday of every month,
6 – 7:30 pm
Oregon Author Visit: Molly Gloss Opportunity for writers with all
Monday, October 26, 5:30 pm
levels of experience to get together,
Special guest author Molly Gloss will write, and get feedback.
be attending Book Discussion Group
to talk about her novel, Falling from Book Discussion Group
October 26
Horses. Call or visit the library to
Last Monday of every month,
reserve a copy of the book.
5:30 pm
Movie Showtimes
Selection for October: Falling From
Thursday, October 22, 6 pm
Horses by Molly Gloss (with special
Thursday, October 29, 6 pm
guest, Molly Gloss)
Relax and enjoy a new movie and
free popcorn. Call or visit the library It’s Always Craft Time at the
Library. Ask at the checkout desk
for movie titles.
about our Craft Box. Activites are
Ongoing Programs
switched out every couple of weeks.
The current WWTP upgrade project will
raise the dikes around the sewer lagoons
to protect against future flood events.
It also includes the installation of a
hyporheic discharge system that allows
the city to discharge treated effluent into
the river during the summer months,
using the ground for final treatment and
removal of ammonia before it reaches
the river. During the winter months,
when the City sewer system takes in an
abundance of storm water runoff, the
City would discharge effluent directly
into the river.

City Councilor Bruce McNair,
who has been actively involved in the
WWTP upgrade project, said he believes
it is premature to make a change order.
According to Public Works Committee
member George Tice, DEQ has been
discussing adding winter ammonia
regulations for about ten years and they
have yet to be implemented, but Tice said
the new regulations are expected. Tice
also said the Public Works Committee
has researched new bio dome technology
to treat ammonia. City Administrator
Josette Mitchell told Council she has
had a discussion with a company that
manufactures bio domes and they are
interested in placing them in Vernonia at
minimal cost to the City as a pilot project
in the state of Oregon.

Council made no decision about
a change order to the project and asked
staff to provide more information at their
October 5, City Council meeting.
Vernonia City Council
Meetings and Closures
Upcoming Events
Tabletop Gaming
October 13 and 27, 4 pm
2 nd and 4 th Tuesday of every month,
4pm. For Teens and Adults. New
and experienced gamers welcome.
Primary game will be Pathfinder,
but Game Master’s of other titles
are welcome to bring their game of
choice. Sign up at the library.
Writer’s Group
October 15
Mondays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Songs, rhymes, books, toys, and
bubbles! For ages 0 – 3.
Older siblings welcome.
Vernonia 
Dental
D
Baby and Toddler Time
Dates and times subject to change
due to conflicts of schedules
DM
Storytimes
City Closures are scheduled for:
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Veterans Day Holiday
an 
October 1
1 st  Thursday of each month,
4:30-5:30 pm
Open to all ages! Come join us for
some stamp learning, collecting,
trading, and all around fun!  
The Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD Board
of Directors will meet Tuesday,
October 20, 2015 at 7 pm at the
Main Station, 12525 HWY 202,
Mist, OR. Agenda items include
but are not limited to usual order
of business, citizen input, Fire
Chief’s report, financial reports
and any other business needing
to be discussed.
William DeJager
-Board President
Preschool Storytime
e rm
Stamp Club
City Council Meetings
are scheduled for 7:00 pm:
Monday, October 5, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
Fridays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Stories and a craft/activity.
For children up to age 5.
Library Hours & Contact
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 – 5
Tuesday, Thursday: 1 -7
Saturday: 10 – 4
Closed Sundays
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov
.
Dr
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622 Bridge Street    Vernonia, OR 97064
phone (503) 429-0880  --  fax (503) 429-0881
Vernonia
Veterinary Clinic
291
A
Street
Small and Large Animals
call Kim
Hunting Season is here!
Lovable service at
a reasonable price
• Bathing
• Haircuts
• Nail Clipping
• Nail Polishing
• Specialty
Shampoos
Archery Equipment - Sporting Goods
Calls - Cammo - Boots - Accessories
Binoculars - Scent Killers - Targets
Family owned & operated for over 45 years
834 Bridge St, Vernonia
503-429-6364
Open
Mon, Wed & Saturday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call for Appointments
(503) 429-1612
Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470
700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR