Harriman and Nepera officials meet to resolve notification issues

HARRIMAN-Mayor Stephen H. Welle, Deputy Mayor Edward B. Shuart and Fire Chief William Geiler met recently with Nepera Inc. representatives to discuss the chemical company's notification of village firefighters whenever an incident happens at its facility. The issue arose last month when there were a localized chemical leak on Jan. 4 and an incinerator fire which was immediately suppressed on Jan. 8. Village officials said the incidents were not reported in a timely manner. Geller said at the time he learned of the incinerator fire from a 911 dispatcher. Nepera officials said they made the incidents public after corrective actions were taken because they considered both incidents minor and quickly resolved. Since the late 1980s, Nepera and nearby municipalities have participated in the Community Alert Network or CAN, which is designed to activate recorded telephone messages providing information in the event of a release or emergency at the plant. Welle, Shuart and Geiler met with Charles Decker, Nepera's environmental safety and health coordinator, and another company representative, the mayor reported at the Feb. 8 Village Board meeting. He said all parties agreed that the Harriman Fire Department will be notified directly and in accordance with established protocol. In other business: • Geiler advised the board that the fire department needed to refit or replace emergency rescue vehicle #511, a box-style pumper truck that is about 17 years old. He estimated that the department could extend its life by at least five years by updating its tires to a radial style. The board responded by setting a bid award date of March 8 at 10 a.m. • Village resident Atillia Tondo told the board about his water problems. His pipes recently froze. And even though the village shut off his water, he received a water bill of $2,949. Welle asked Tondo to detail the incident in writing so the board could review it at its next meeting.