Valdese may remove fluoride treatments from its water

Town of Valdese staff recommended removing fluoride treatments from the town’s water to save money and create a less hazardous work environment — but it was put on the consent agenda, a choice some residents disapproved of.

After hearing from the public, Town Manager Todd Herms said the item will be taken off consent and added to the regular agenda for council discussion.

Consent agenda items are considered routine and are enacted in a single motion. Items on the consent agenda are not discussed unless a council member requests discussion.

“Typically, municipalities use consent agenda items for procedural processes that are not controversial,” Herms said. “In this case, we placed it (rescinding the fluoride feed) on the agenda per our recommendation from the town’s engineer.”

Herms said concerns have been raised and that the council will discuss the matter in open session. He said he does not know if council members will make a decision on Monday.

“Hindsight being 20-20, maybe this should have been a discussion,” Herms said.

The Paper received an email from a resident who said the item should not have been placed on the consent agenda because it involves public health. Former councilman Glenn Harvey has also copied The Paper on emails in recent months where he expressed disapproval of items regarding a major zoning violation case being on the consent agenda.

RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE FLUORIDE

Removing the fluoride feed at the town’s water treatment plant would save the town $16,000 per year for fluoride chemical delivery.

Valdese staff said the fluoride treatment process is harsh and hazardous for employees.

Additionally, with more oral health products available, staff finds that fluoride treatment — which Valdese has done since 1970 — is less needed now than it was in decades past.

In place of the water treatment plant’s fluoride feed, a second bulk storage tank for a chemical called caustic, a necessary chemical for water treatment, will be installed, staff said. This is part of the town’s water treatment plant improvement project.

The town’s regular meeting will be on Monday, March 30, at Valdese Town Hall at 102 Massel Ave. SW. It begins at 6 p.m.