Grant denied for town

BAINBRIDGE --Council members learned the Town of Bainbridge did not receive disaster recovery monies that would fund storm water drains through a Community Development Block Grant request.

Town Clerk Jason Hartman pointed to a required report that was not submitted as the reason for not receiving the grant.

"I'm not very happy, but it can be submitted again," Hartman said.

A separate grant for $900,000 to strip the lead-based paint from the outside of the water tower and update the water in the water plant among other updates was submitted on July 2. Hartman proposed the community would match the grant up to $140,000. A decision should be reached by Sept. 24, he said.

Concerns for flooding on the new Dollar General in Bainbridge also arose as a result of the drainage system built there.

After a recent light rainfall, a 6-inch storm sewage pipe that was planned to contain the capacity of a 15-inch pipe caused minor flooding at the neighboring Manan Hearing Center.

Utility supervisor Jim Nelson cited an engineering inspection oversight as part of what led to the smaller pipe installation, and said the problem needs to be fixed before a major rainfall.

"All the rain on the property goes to one place," he said. "It may be a little thing no one caught, but it could turn into a big deal."

Hartman suggested adding a retention pond on the property as a possible solution.

However, because both are private properties, Hartman said the town may never be a part of the solution.

"It doesn't affect the town," he said.

Estimates for the cost of the proposed recycling center in Bainbridge are also still pending further research, and a final decision on the project won't be determined until one of the proposed options is tried out, Hartman said at the council meeting Wednesday.

Hartman received estimates from Ray's Trash that would be $110 per load of recycling dropped off, and compared the usage to the recycling plant in Liston, which currently uses three dumpsters at one location.

Hartman said he was not sure about how accurate the comparison was to the Ray's estimate -- a trailer that would take recycled goods would cost $9,275, according to estimates he obtained from other sources.

"We won't know until we try it," Hartman said.

Other options discussed were comparing a site in Waynetown with a trailer on wheels similar to what they are looking at putting in place in Bainbridge. Nelson said he liked the lights and gravel drive in Waynetown.

Council members also visited the abandoned Oakley property and made a motion that the property could be leveled with the exception of the garage, pending examination of the septic system and well located on the property. The council also agreed the town could liquidate the items in the house, including cabinets and ceiling fans.

Council president Richard Cope explained that bids weren't necessary for the items because they were relatively low cost.

"We'd do it not to make money for the town, just so the items would be put to use," Cope said.