City signs contract for Indy Road project

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Engineering and planning for several city projects including widening of Indianapolis Road and development of a new lift station south of the city, were the focus of the Board of Works Wednesday.

"We want to try to move on this," Mayor Nancy Michael said of the Indianapolis Road project, which would widen the street and make improvements to curbs and sidewalks from Wood Street to 10th Street.

Board members Sue Murray and Mayor Michael voted to sign a $73,000 contract with A&F engineering firm in Indianapolis to prepare construction plans and documents for the project. The money for the planning will come out of Economic Development Income Tax funds already set aside for Indianapolis Road engineering. (Board of Works member Thom Morris was not present at the vote.)

Also, the board agreed to enter into a contract with Civil Engineer Consultants, Reelsville, to plan for a new lift station south of the city.

Greencastle city currently treats water from a holding tank in the area which services The Waters of Greencastle and other business and private buildings. However, it is not municipally owned, and in order for future development to happen in the area, board members agreed to begin the project which will bring a new, updated facility into city control.

Greencastle Sewer Supt. Mike Neese told members the current holding tank was installed in 1981 as a temporary solution for water service to Heritage House and since then, has been used by an assortment of other customers, most of which are undocumented.

The condition of the tank has left some of the facility's current users, like the office of Dr. Troy Quiz with the option to either get a new commercial septic permit or to hook up to a new lift station.

Mayor Michael explained, as a compromise with those who would be hooked into a new system, Greencastle City would pay for engineering and planning, and eventually take control of the facility through annexation. Users of the lift station would pay for the actual construction of it.

"From the City's perspective, we would like to see this happen," Mayor Michael said. "We are willing to pay for the engineering to design a proper lift station that will handle not only those using it now but for other development opportunities there."

In answer to a question by Board member Thom Morris, City Attorney Laurie Robertson Hardwick said the customers in the service area would agree not to remonstrate when the time came for annexation, and municipal officials would maintain the ability to make sure work on the project fits with the city's standards.

Morris and Michael voted in favor of the $2,500 contract with Civil Engineer Consultants. Money for the engineering will come from the Sewer Improvement Fund.

Murray, who is social services director at the Putnam County Hospital, abstained from voting due to a possible conflict of interest.

In other business, Board of Works members:

-- Voted to hire Integrity Controls to install programmable logistical controls at the water plant for $43,976.

The installation will take seven weeks and will replace the controls which run the city's water system.

-- Voted to authorize a change of orders for the contract with Pell Roofing and Siding, to add $3,140.27 to the $108,440 contract for work on the roof of the Greencastle Street Department building.

Street Department Supt. Paul Wilson said additional replacement of bad lumber in the roof decking had to take place.

-- Voted to allow for up to $3,000 in additional engineering to redesign plans for work on Franklin Street so that planned construction costs are below $300,000.

-- Tabled discussion on an amendment to the Greencastle Fire Department and Greencastle Police Department Holiday Pay policies and the waste water treatment plant storage construction.

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