Blog Memories...from Jerry Saunders

Reading the Barnard Banter that you have done so well, brings back lots of memories.  Just about brought tears to my 76 year old eyes, watching the pictures of the water tower coming down.  I remember when they first started it with a wooden scaffolding that blew down.

After it was finished my dad, Otto Saunders, took care of the city.  He used to have to climb up there to replace the light on top.  As I got older, he talked me into going up.  The first time I made it to the door that goes outside, I got scared and came back down.  He finally talked me later on to go on up.  What a beautiful sight to look out over the countryside, but I got too scared to come back down.  After a lot of coaxing from Dad, I finally made it.  From then on when the light burnt out, I replaced it till I got out of Barnard High.

I sure have enjoyed your blog.

Jerry Saunders

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend: A Photo Album

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend: The Barnard WPA Water Tower...1941-2013

Since 1941, at least five generations of Barnard residents and visitors have seen the majestic art deco water tower as the trademark part of the Barnard skyline.  That tower is part of the memory of anyone who has any connection to Barnard, Kansas.  As of September 18th, the tower is becoming a memory.  Demolition started erasing the last significant structure that made Barnard unlike most other communities.

The Barnard WPA water tower was completed in 1941 around the time of the United States' entry into WWII.  It was the visible jewel of the newly installed municipal water system in Barnard.  The tower held 50,000 gallons of water that satisfied the needs of the prospering community.

The tower held another role other than the functional water storage facility.  Barnard's tower quickly became a landmark.  Numerous people returning home or visiting could see the tower miles away and knew they were close to their destination.  Returning soldiers from WWII knew they were close to home when the reinforced concrete tower appeared on the horizon.  Ott Saunders' grandchildren always tried to see which one of them could be first to see Grandpa's water tower.  When they visit Barnard nowadays, they still look for that tower.  The question of "are we there yet?" was clearly answered from miles away by that tower appearing on the skyline.

Barnard's historic art deco tower watched over the town for 72 years.  It was built during the years when prosperity still made its appearance in town.  At that time, Barnard had several hundred residents, groceries stores, banks, drug stores, barber shops, lumberyards, a meat locker, a theater, and a functioning railroad station.  The tower continued its duties as the population and local economy declined.  Gradually, people left and businesses closed.  Vacant buildings were demolished and the downtown business district disappeared along with a significant portion of the residential area.  Barnard died as the tower watched and provided water for those who refused to give up.

When the Barnard water network was attached to the rural water district, the purpose of the tower became redundant.  The pressure provided by the rural water district was more than enough (as we have recently experienced) to provide for the needs of the town.  However, the silent sentry still kept watch over the town.

Even after its fate was decided by a small fraction of Barnard's now tiny population, the water tower kept up its duty.  Within the last year, the water valve to the RWD was left on and the tower filled to its full 50,000 gallon capacity and water flowed from its overflow channel.  The tower did not buckle, it continued to serve just as it had for over 70 years.  During a recent lightening strike, the charge blew out  several pipes in the water network all over town...however, the tower itself was not damaged.  We were told that the tower was near collapse, but even as it is being torn down it is showing its strength, having to be slammed repeatedly by the wrecking ball before a little bit of concrete gives away and falls to the ground near the base of the tower.

I am relatively new to this community and the first time I saw that tower, it left me in awe.  As I learned more about the town, it almost seemed like a glorious tombstone for a once vibrant lady.  However, today...as I drove out of town to go to work, I looked at the tower in my rear view mirror...it seemed more like the image of a kindly old gentleman being beaten to death by the town bullies.  Its height had only been diminished by a fraction but it was less prominent on the horizon.  What will replace it will be absurdly mundane.  Where this tower was immediately recognizable as Barnard's, the new one will be a metal tube like thousands of metal tubes just like it scattered across the United States.  You will only be able to tell it is Barnard's because BARNARD will be painted on the side.  Since it is smaller, by the time you can see the print, you will already be in town.  It will be non-descript and like the town...many people will not even realize it is there.

Water Tower Bid Letting Notice

Water Tower Update...

At the recent council meeting, the engineer for the project was present.  The meeting was held at 6 p.m. rather than the usual 7 p.m.  The engineer went over some specifics of the project.  The new tower is intended to be fitted to the foundation of the current water tower.  The current landmark water tower is slated  for demolition in September after Labor Day.  The plan discussed was for it to be imploded.  A member of the council suggested that they have a demolition party.

Also discussed was the technical specs for the new tower.  The new standpipe follows typical design and is simply a vertical tank.  The tower will hold more than what the public was initially informed.  Monty Fuller, who was present at the meeting and took notes, informed the Banter that the engineer said the new tower would hold approximately 40-45,000 gallons, HOWEVER, only half of the capacity (approximately 20,000 gallons or two days water usage) would be usable because as the water level lowers, so would the pressure.  To maintain pressure in the city water system, it must be kept full.  Council member Houghton, proponent of the demolition party, asked repeatedly if they could adjust the tower so would only be filled half way to which the engineer replied that he supposed they could but there wouldn't be any pressure in the water system.

Additionally, the engineer said that a new chlorination building would need to be built.  Ideally this building would be near the junction where the water pipe enters the city from the water district on north Main Street.  The building would involve significant cost to construct.  Since the city contracts for the delivery of treated water, they will pursue having the water district pay for the additional structure.  Council member Pickering suggested that the city also pursue a grant from the state historical society to purchase caulk for a small leak in the current pumphouse.

Bids will be opened on February 27, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Barnard city building.

Water District 3 Meeting

This is the district that Barnard receives its water from.

Answering a Reader's Question About the New Water Standpipe

Resident in BarnardDecember 29, 2012 10:02 PM

If the water tower still holds water, why do we need a new one?

ReplyDelete

Replies

TAZDecember 30, 2012 2:56 PM
I will answer your question, however, I'll end up paying dearly for what I will say.

To answer your question…

At one time, I did support the building of the new standpipe with the preservation of the current water tower.  I agree that the old tower cannot continue being used without substantial repair; an engineer did say there should be no problem with it standing there as a landmark.  However, after reading the engineer reports and grant applications and visiting with former Barnard city officials and Lincoln County officials, I no longer support the construction of a new standpipe under any condition.

The current water tower in Barnard has a capacity of 50,000 gallons.  According to the paperwork, the standpipe structure is 8ft by 120ft and will contain about 1 day’s water usage (approximately 10,000 gallons).  From city council discussions I have witnessed, the actual capacity of the new standpipe is to be between 7,500 and 10,000 gallons.  The importance of the new water tower is for fire protection and a water reservoir.  The last couple of fires in Barnard have drained the current tower in a matter of a few minutes.  Residents have also experienced frequent loss of water because of the low level kept in the tower.

The engineer reports and grant narratives supplied by the city state that there is sufficient pressure from the rural water district to operate the water system in the city. As one retired county employee pointed out, when the tower runs out, the valve to the water district must be opened.  When the valve is opened, not only is the tower being filled, but the pressure from the rural water district is also providing the pressure to operate the city water system.  This indicates that the reports about sufficient water pressure are correct.

I had the opportunity to visit with a member of a water board of a county in northeast Kansas.  I supplied the information about population, water usage, and project cost including bond issues and grants.  He explained to me about the design and capacity issues with the standpipes.  The typical design of the cylindrical standpipes differs from the water tower we currently have.  The current water tower has an elevated tank which provides consistent pressure; the typical cylindrical standpipe is basically a vertical tank.  IF the new standpipe that the city has commissioned is typical in design, there may possibly be pressure issues.  He explained how the hydrostatic head affects water system pressure.  If the capacity is only 7,500 to 10,000 gallons in a non-elevated tank, the lower the water level is, the lower the pressure may be.  Up to one-half of the capacity of the standpipe may be useless in regards to pressure.

Cost is a factor in these projects.  A 50,000 gallon standpipe would cost approximately $450,000, which was confirmed by the city’s reports.  When the member of the water board was informed of the project cost of $270,000, the population of about 70 people, and the statement by the council that more general obligation bonds may have to be issued, in addition to the $108,000 already issued, he had questions about the fiscal responsibility of the project.  The concern centers around the necessity of that kind of expenditure in a community the size of Barnard as well as the ability to pay off the debt.

The $108,000 in issued bonds is the city’s portion of the $270,000 project cost.  According to a former Barnard mayor and Lincoln County commissioner, the amount of the bond issue may double at the 30 year mark depending on the interest rate at which the bonds were sold. Potentially, the city may have to pay back $216,000 in debt.  Barnard has generally declined in population as shown by census figures that I have previously published on the Banter.  During the period between 2000 and 2010, Barnard lost 43% of its population.  Since there is little to no economic development, the draw to Barnard is low property values with very limited living accommodations, and the general indication of the census numbers is of declining population…it may be challenging for the future population of Barnard to pay off that debt.  In addition, the city clerk reportedly said to a resident that the city would be adding on an additional fee once the new standpipe was completed.  The fee would be $20 and would apply only to vacant properties that were not subscribing to city water services.  The fee would be monthly and last the duration of the bond issue. Several residents expressed concern over the legality of this fee and an inquiry was made to the Lincoln County attorney in that regard.  Currently, the minimum for city utilities is $57.48.  In the project materials, it is stated that Barnard’s water costs are already above the state average.  During council discussions, another $20 will be added to the water bill making the minimum bill $77.48 not taking to consideration any normal increases in trash, sewage, or water costs.

In my honest opinion, I believe that the city council has taken on more than Barnard can handle.  Research has indicated that failure to pay off debt is a leading cause of municipalities losing their incorporation.  However, during a visit with the Lincoln County Clerk, losing incorporation would be unlikely in this case.  If Barnard were to default on the bonds, the first step would be to issue No-Fund Warrants.  This would allow Barnard to borrow from other funds that it has. This is what happened a few years ago when Barnard wasn’t able to pay Lincoln County for paving the streets.  In addition, Barnard would be expected to levy taxes and increase fees in order to cover the deficit.  This could drastically increase the cost of living in Barnard.  By this time, a bonding agent would become involved to guide the city out of the situation. 

However you look at it, Barnard could potentially be in deep fiscal trouble.  Based on the information studied, maybe the best option is to not have a new standpipe and run off of the rural water district.