Roachdale approved for gas bond; mains to be replaced
ROACHDALE -- The town of Roachdale was approved for a $1.1 million bond that will go toward replacing the town's gas mains, Roachdale Town Council members learned Tuesday evening.
After projects are completed with money received from the bonds, the town will have an entirely new gas system.
With the bond, the town can replace lines in the town -- currently made out of copper and steel pipes -- with plastic, which requires less maintenance, and be able to salvage what has recently been replaced.
Roachdale clerk-treasurer Martha Louk said she anticipates that the project will get underway either this winter or spring.
At February's council meeting, Anthony Everette, an engineer with Utility, Safety and Design, Inc., reported to the board that the current gas system had 20 to 30 underground leaks over the past three years, causing the town to lose money as mains deteriorated faster than they could be replaced.
The gas system's maximum allowable operating pressure currently runs between 10 and 12 MAOP; following replacement of the system it will run at 60 MAOP, the Banner Graphic reported earlier this year.
The board unanimously voted to give town attorney Jim Ensley permission to hire attorney John Gregg, former Speaker of the House for the Indiana House of Representatives, to work on a council to fill out the necessary legal paperwork that goes along with receiving money from the bond.
In the meantime, Roachdale town superintendent Greg Poole said the town and USDI were continuing work on fixing gas leaks in town, including a stretch along 250E near North Putnam High School today. Poole said the pipes were not bad enough to have to close the school for the day.
The board also approved spending $11,125 for the services of Peerless Pump Co. to clean the town's Well 1.
Louk said the town plans to flush its hydrants on Sept. 22 and advises town residents to be prepared for lowered water pressure on that date.
The Roachdale Town Council meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the town hall.