By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- The Superintendent of the Village's Department of Public Works (DPW) Dan Bates and his foreman James Bodie were accused of putting public health at risk. Both turned themselves in Monday, after learning of a warrant, according to Village Manager Art Sciorra, of possibly indirectly injuring the waters of the state.
They both posted a $10,000 bond on one felony count and five misdemeanors.
On Feb. 6, 2001, the main power cable burned in half at a sewage lift station, Sciorra said, and an alarm notified Bates.
It took Bates between 40 and 45 minutes to repair and the next day he filed a form with the state stating the problem, and the amount of spillage while he was setting up a by pass system around the station.
Between 8 and 12,00 gallons of raw sewage ran into the Dowagiac Creek by Peavine St. in LaGrange Township, Sciorra said.
The misdemeanor counts allege that on five occasions sewer residue was disposed of at a village dumpsite instead of at a licensed landfill.
The felony count carries a maximum penalty of two years behind bars.