Bainbridge acquires new snowplow/dump truck
BAINBRIDGE -- The timing of the Bainbridge Town Council's approval of the purchase of a Topkick dump truck and snowplow for $46,000 was timely with the change in weather this week.
Richard Copeland and Bonnie Osborn voted to OK the acquisition of the truck.
"This opportunity came up kind of unexpectedly, but it was something we needed," explained Town Clerk Jason Hartman, who found the truck in an online auction.
The dump truck comes with a snowplow and is valued at over $100,000. It has only 900 miles on it and comes with a five-year warranty. The catch was the truck is located near Salt Lake City.
Utility Superintendent Jim Nelson will most likely be going out to drive the truck back to Putnam County.
The other good news heard by the council was that the town will receive a sewer grant from the state for $234,320. An upgrade to the town's sewer system had already been mandated by the state. The grant will pay for that upgrade, plus leave enough money to put pumps in all the list stations and upgrade the electric.
"We going to be able to do some improvements that weren't mandated but are needed," said Nelson. "This is really going to put our sewer system in good shape."
The grant administrator for the project spent a lot of time working with the town officials on the proposal.
"This was her first grant and she was really working hard for us. She spent a lot of time making sure everything was just right and she got it her first time," said Hartman.
An update on the Locust Street project was also a little disappointing for council members. The project is completed except the final asphalt, which may have to wait for spring.
"We have two choices with the weather. They can lay down cold mix and have a shoddy product or we can take our chances and wait until spring. If there would be a couple of days with above 40-degree weather and they have hot mix ready, the paver could finish the job," said Nelson.
His concern is that if the job isn't finished, water could get into areas and cause problems.
"They had plenty of time to finish. Before we pay the invoice for work so far we need to have a guarantee from Bumgardner (the vendor) that they will pay for any repairs that need to be made if they wait until spring," said Nelson.
Council members agreed to pay the $26,024 invoice, provided they have something that guarantees the quality of the project when finished.
Hartman told the council that he had received word from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) that Bainbridge would not receive stimulus money for the N. Washington Street project.
"The administration is looking at $150 million of Impact funds in a second round of stimulus money. At least we will have a project all ready if they decide to release the money," explained Hartman.
Council members also approved several appointments. Marsha Burns was named to the Park Board and Rodney Fenwick will continue on the Plan Commission, along with Jeffrey Trent who was also named to the Board of Zoning Appeals.