City ponders water tower repainting

It seems pretty difficult to lose track of a huge water tower.

You know, like the standpipe that towers above Forest Hill Cemetery on the Greencastle’s southwest side, providing water service and fire protection to the city and surrounding areas.

City officials want to repaint the standpipe, a bit of routine maintenance that takes places every 20 years or so.

When the subject came up at the recent July Board of Works meeting, there was a difference of opinion on the last time the standpipe repainting was done.

Board member Trudy Selvia remembered that she was on the board the last time the work was done.

“We’ve had this water tower in the budget since I’ve been in office,” City Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar said, meaning since 2012.

An inspector from Liquid Engineering reportedly looked at the tower and said the city could wait a couple more years before committing to the estimated $200,000 project.

Typically such work lasts 20-25 years, Mayor Bill Dory noted.

Researching a bit while the discussion lingered on, City Attorney Laurie Hardwick advised that it was the water tower at Robe-Ann Park that was repainted in 2003, which fits with Selvia’s timetable.

Water Department spokesman Ed Phillips said he believes that the last time the water tower near the cemetery was redone was while the late Leon Phillips, the city’s longtime water superintendent, was still in charge.

“I’ll do some more research,” Ed Phillips promised.

“We’ve talked about that water tower a lot over the years,” Clerk-Treasurer Dunbar interjected.

No action was taken on the issue.

“This is just to let you know it’s in the works,” Mayor Dory said, concluding the water tower repainting discussion.

Meanwhile, the mayor also announced a revised street resurfacing list, a function of lesser gasoline tax revenue being received from the state as a byproduct of Hoosiers driving less and using less gasoline during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The list is a little shorter this year,” Dory conceded, adding that the state has put Community Crossings funding on hold for now, which further lowers the funds available for street projects locally.

The streets on the list are now:

-- Avenue D, the whole length of the street, with work broken into the east and west portions (starting from Fifth Street).

-- Kingswood Court off Woodhaven Drive.

-- Kentwood Drive north of Indianapolis Road, which “got abused” during last year’s Indianapolis Road project, Mayor Dory said.

-- Elizabeth Street for the section that was unfinished during 2019 work.

-- Eagle Court off Houck Road, where the pavement was described as being in “bad shape.”

-- And possibly, Poplar Street from Vine to Jackson street if funds hold out.

“Eagle Court just had a big water main break,” Water and Wastewater Superintendent Oscar King Jr. said. “It’s going to have to be replaced. Can we put Eagle Court at the end of that list?”

City Attorney Hardwick said an addendum to the contract will be made to note that scheduling.

In other business, the board:

-- Approved a $532.98 sewer leak adjustment for Don Julio’s restaurant on the north side of the square. A major water line reportedly burst. The adjustment removes the sewerage portion of the bill on the water leak.

-- Gave permission for Mayor Dory to sign the full notice to proceed for contractor Frank Feutz Co. on the Zinc Mill Road improvement project. Work is expected to start on or about Aug. 1. Duke Energy has been out there recently moving utility lines, Dory said, while Vectren has completed its gas line relocation work.

Board members Craig Tuggle, Mayor Dory and Selvia were joined for the brief meeting at City Hall by Clerk-Treasurer Dunbar, City Attorney Hardwick and City Councilor Stacie Langdon.

The Board of Works is scheduled to next meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 19 at City Hall.