City officials discuss fence dispute between neighbors
BY MURRAY BISHOFF Special to the Cassville Democrat
The Purdy City Council received good news on its lead pipe inventory during its October board meeting.
Kevin Cook, public works foreman, reported the city’s review of water pipes in its limits had been finished ahead of the schedule set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. He declared the city to have “zero lead in town.”
Combining details from surveys from water customers and field work using what was initially called a pothole machine, Cook said the machinery, now referred to as a vac trailer, was “awesome” and had led to completing the city’s review with benefits. The machinery, he noted, which cost $48,000 from Magnus Industries in Edmond, Okla., was “worth the money” and “handy to have,” especially accessing water leaks at minimal depth. Magnus offered to rebuy the device, but Cook showed no interest in giving it up.
Council members noted water efficiency for the month had risen to 87 percent after public works repaired a deep leak by Redshaw’s Auto Supply that went undetected for many months.
Police Chief Jackie Lowe reported County Prosecutor Amy Boxx issued arrest warrants for a woman who tried to use a forged check on a closed bank account at Redshaw’s Auto Supply on Sept. 3. Lowe reviewed several other incidents, including a vehicle crash on Sept. 28 that snapped a utility pole. The driver, José Garcia, 36, had three times the legal limit of blood alcohol and was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Tips through Crime Stoppers helped lead officers to Exeter in pursuit of a slot machine stolen from Country Corner by a masked man on June 6. Lowe said the three suspects are known in Barry County, and one had been taken into custody.
Much of the discussion at the meeting stemmed from requests by Andrea and John Sversvold, who live on South Caledonia, for help in dealing with their neighbors over a fencing dispute. One neighbor’s 8-foot fence, built up to the property line, has begun collapsing onto the Sversvolds’ fence. The Sversvolds previously complained that their neighbor spraying herbicide in the space between the fences resulted in killing their trees.
City Attorney Toni Hendricks, with Moxie Litigation, noted the city ordinance required wood fences to be mounted in a concrete base, which apparently had not been done in this case. The position of the neighbor’s fence, at a narrow angle, further hindered mowing between the fences. The discussion gave Chief Lowe grounds to resume discussion with the neighbor over the issue.
The next monthly meeting was moved to Nov. 12 to avoid a conflict with Veterans Day.
