Re. Watson to aid Jerseyville in order to get action on water remedy
By Jill Boomer
The Jersey County Star
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville Water and Sewer Commissioner Billy Russell reported Tuesday at the Jerseyville City Council meeting that he, Finance Commissioner Richard Perdun and Bob Manns of Heneghan and Associates, met last week with Representative Jim Watson in order to get his help in the city’s waste water treatment plant situation.

Russell told those in attendance that in their discussion with Watson, he is “going to help us all be can with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).”

The city has sumitted plans to the IEPA and is wanting to get the permit process started and to possibly apply for low-interest loans.

Russell told an audience at the last city council meeting that they cannot move forward until they get the IEPA to sign off on the project.

To that end, the meeting with Watson allowed them to get a “to do” list of how to get this project underway.

Watson suggested that they instill the help of State Senator Deanna Demuzio and continue with the “squeaky wheel” theory.

Watson said Wednesday that he is waiting for a letter from the Jerseyville City Council about this situation so that he can then talk to the IEPA and further investigate the situation.

State agencies have had their budgets drastically cut, Watson said, and many are understaffed.

“We want to get the agency to give the city the attention it is warranted,” he added.

“I will stay on it and help move the ball,” he continued.

Manns said Wednesday that the city is waiting on final approval for the treatment plant and is also working on other related projects such as a new retention basin north of town and the relining of some of the water lines throughout the city.