The Edwardsburg Village Council continues to address infrastructure concerns raised following a pair of large fires last month.

The council, at its final regular meeting of 2014, approved spending money to help prevent problems that occurred during the Smithfield Stables fire, which drained the village’s water supply and caused damage to one of its pumps.

At the fire board meeting the previous week, Village President Jacque Tighe, who is also the fire board chairman, questioned what other alternatives would be acceptable in the case of a large fire. She inquired about other options, including utilizing a nearby lake or municipality for additional water.

Edwardsburg Fire Chief Bruce Stack said that dry hydrants would need to be installed at local lakes.

At Monday’s meeting, the council approved spending $20,800 to have the damaged pump repaired by Peerless Midwest of Mishawaka.

After the fire the damaged pump was pulled and  it was discovered that the working pump was not pumping at full capacity. The pump is designed to pump 1,000 gallons per minute, but is currently pumping between 800 and 850 gallons per minute.

Peerless told village officials the pump’s screens are dirty and need to be cleaned with chemicals.

The cost for cleaning the screens will range from $8,000 to $17,000.

Additionally, the council approved spending $25,500 for an alarm system for the water supply that would be separate from the waste water alarm system.

Installation should be completed in three weeks.

The village is hoping to recoup some of the monies spent through an insurance claim.

In order to pay for the repairs and new alarm system, the village is cashing a $61,622.24 CD at Chemical Bank.

The village council will hold a budget workshop at 9 a.m. on Jan. 24. Its next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 26.