City awarded $94,000 for water plant security

Interim City Auditor Andrew Presnell has started his new role with a bang.

The city was awarded $94,350 in grant funds for security improvements at the water plant just last week.

As with most grants, it wasn’t a quick and easy process either. Presnell began working on the project in January, while he was the assistant to former city auditor Becki Schumacher.

“I was working with Lisa Thompson, Eddy County Emergency Manager, and asked her about any grants available for the water plant since there were no protective measures for New Rockford's most critical infrastructure,” Presnell said.

It was Thompson who directed him to the FY 2023 State Homeland Security Program administered by the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. The funds originate from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the program is designed to help recipients prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events.

Knowing that New Rockford’s newly-upgraded water plant had no security measures in place to protect it, Presnell went to work preparing the application.

Public Works Superintendent Hirchert assisted him in obtaining measurements for a security fence.

The plan calls for a 6 ft. high commercial grade chain link fence with three strands of barbed wire. The fence will have two gates, one each on the east and west sides. The main entrance gate on the west side will be fully automatic with door openers and a keypad on the outside.

In addition, 11 security cameras will be installed on the premises, six cameras on the inside and five on the outside. City staff will be able to remotely access the cameras to view footage as and when necessary.

The formal announcement of the grant award was forthcoming when Presnell was appointed interim auditor.

“I want everyone to know that I want to continue to grow and better this community that I have called home for many years,” Presnell said at the time.

President Stu Richter made the announcement of the grant award at Monday’s New Rockford City Commission meeting.