Cop cars, trees, pool bathhouse get Board of Works attention

Employing a variety of funding sources, the city will be able to undertake a variety of projects following action Wednesday afternoon by the Greencastle Board of Works.

With funding sources ranging from leftover Stellar Grant money, Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds and Public Safety Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) dough, the board authorized spending more than a quarter-million dollars to tackle three much-anticipated city projects.

The approved expenditures will pay for three new police cars, fund Phase I repairs to the city aquatic center bathhouse and cover the cost of removing 37 trees across the city and Robe-Ann Park.

The police car purchase, which involves one 2020 Ford Explorer Hybrid and two 2020 V6 Ford Explorers from the Andy Mohr Ford dealership in Plainfield, was the most expensive. It was approved at a total cost of $163,330 for the three new vehicles and their police package of decals, radios and related equipment.

Police Chief Tim Sutherlin also pointed out that the $163,330 figure will be less the trade-in value of six or seven used patrol cars that the department has been keeping on hand for training exercises. The company that conducts those training exercises, Sutherlin explained, no longer requires departments to bring their own vehicles.

Chief Sutherlin said the new vehicles would replace the cars currently being used by Det. Matt Huffman (the Hybrid) and Officers Darrel Bunten and Luke Brown (the Explorers).

Since purchasing Ford Explorers for officers’ use in 2015, Sutherlin said they have been “performing well” and offer space in the back for the officers to lay out their equipment for greater accessibility.

The Hybrid is expected to be available “with a quick turn-around” yet this fall since city officers have been test-driving it. However, a January or February delivery can be expected on the two Explorers, Sutherlin said.

The police cars are being purchased with LOIT funds.

Meanwhile, allocating $65,000 for bathhouse repairs at the pool through EDIT money, the Board of Works approved a contract with Bill Mentgen (of Three Fat Labs fame) and Energy Consulting Solutions Inc., Greencastle.

Described as Phase I of renovations to the bathhouse (more will come next fall through the bond issue funding pool repairs and renovation), the work will include such work as locker removal, painting the central office area walls, new powder-coated steel bathroom and shower partitions, painting interior walls of the concession stand, applying epoxy to the floors of the locker room and concession stand and more.

Phase I, Mayor Bill Dory suggested, “should freshen it up and move us forward.”

For further pool and park improvements, the city has proposed a $1.6-$1.8 million bond issue for work such as removing the existing slide and installing two new ones, in a project that will commence in the spring in order to be ready for the annual Memorial Day weekend pool opening.

With $59,514 budgeted for the poolhouse work unanimously approved Wednesday, board member Trudy Selvia made the motion to OK an expenditure of not to exceed $65,000.

Meanwhile, a joint project the Water, Parks, Cemetery and Public Works department proposes to remove 37 trees at a price of $58,550 accepted from Marsee Tree Service, Greencastle.

EDIT money and funding contributions from the four departments will cover that sum, the mayor noted.

The work will see four trees removed from both park and water department properties, along with 13 at Forest Hill Cemetery and 16 others throughout the city as proposed by the Public Works Department.

Most are ash trees damaged or killed by diseased carried by the emerald ash borer, the trees ticketed for removal include:

-- Three ash trees and a sycamore in and around the pool and splash park as well as one off the first-base side of the ball diamond at Robe-Ann Park.

-- Four sycamore trees hanging over the Water Department’s Well No. 6.

-- Eleven ash trees, a maple and a pine at the cemetery, including one east of the renovated Civil War Monument, two along the fence and one between the flagpole and the mausoleum. Many of the trees will necessitate use of a crane to remove, the mayor noted, due to their proximity to grave markers and abbeys within Forest Hill.

Meanwhile, the 16 trees pegged for removal by the Public Works Department include:

• 105 W. Poplar St., north side.

• 719 Locust St., east side.

• 213 Arlington St., east side.

• Poplar Street between College and Vine, four trees.

• 15 Bloomington St., east side.

• 104 Bloomington St., west side.

• 1101 Avenue E, north side.

• 620 Highwood Ave., south side

• 609 Ridge Ave., north side.

• 415 Walnut St., north side, two trees.

• Tennessee Street, no area specified.

The Board of Works also approved use of $117,701 in leftover Stellar Grant funds and Redevelopment Capital Fund money for fabrication and installation of directional signs in the city Wayfinding project.

Universal Sign Systems will create and install 64 custom-made decorative metal signs to provide directional signage to parking lots, buildings, attractions and specific areas of the city.

A study group has been working on the project for several months.

In other business, the board:

• Agreed to hire Jonathan Newgent of Greencastle for the firefighter vacancy in the department. If he passes the PERF (Public Employee Retirement Fund) physical, the son of former Fire Chief Bill Newgent would become a second-generation GFD firefighter.

• Agreed to offer the part-time firefighter position to Jacob Armstrong. “It was not an easy choice when you have two great candidates,” Mayor Dory said after board member Selvia pointed out that Newgent’s EMT training “tipped the scales” in his behalf.

• Tabled any decision on developer Jared Grable’s request for the city to waive water ($924 per tap) and sewer ($1,500 per tap) fees on the 33-home second phase of his Whispering Winds, a subdivision off Zinc Mill Road and County Road 200 South, near the Ivy Tech Community College campus on Greencastle’s southeast side. Mayor Dory said the city typically doesn’t waive tap fees and said he fears setting a precedent. However, the board agreed to table the request until additional information, such as the actual tap costs to the city, can be provided for the Nov. 20 meeting.

Board members Dory and Selvia were joined by Craig Tuggle and Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar for the 40-minute meeting, which followed a 45-minute session to interview the firefighter candidates.

The board’s next regular session is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 at City Hall.