Menu
Remodel could cut energy costs in EMS office by 70 percent
Already going through an extensive overhaul to correct mold problems, the Putnam County EMS headquarters is about to get a lot more energy efficient.
The $194,000 renovation of the EMS office — the northern part of the building on Bloomington Street — is being funded by CARES Act money the county received last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Greencastle-based Energy Conservation Solutions is performing the work to replace anything affected by the mold as well as improving airflow to prevent future mold problems. The administrative office is actually housed in what was once a Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut buildings of that time are known to have moisture problems after being repurposed.
Besides taking care of the longstanding moisture issues, the remodel will also include a negative pressure quarantine room for local first responders who have been exposed to COVID-19.
However, representatives of ECS have discovered some inefficiencies that they believe could be fixed to improve the building further.
EMS Chief Kelly Russ told the Putnam County Commissioners recently that these include single-pane windows, void cavities with no insulation and an oversized HVAC system.
For an additional $28,840.30, ECS proposed to fix these problems and ultimately provide a more energy-efficient building.
Bill Mentgen of ECS told Russ he believes the monthly utility bills for the office building can go from $700 a month to $200-$250.
“In perpetuity, the county will save the extra money we’re putting into this project,” Russ said. “It will be better on the environment too.”
Despite the extra cost, the proposal was met favorably by the Commissioners, who proposed to pay for the increase out of the EDIT Warchest, which has nearly $800,000 available.
The proposal was approved unanimously.
One other issue being addressed is that of holes in the building’s side from a hail storm in 2016, when the ambulance service was still the non-profit Putnam County Operation Life.
Russ contacted OL’s insurance carrier from that time, which investigated and cut the county a check for $2,600.
Mentgen said this amount won’t quite cover the cost of replacing the siding in question, so another change order is likely coming before the Commissioners.
Completion of the EMS building is estimated for early summer.
Coming to the department even sooner will be a new ambulance. Russ and Deputy Chief Anthony Taylor recently visited Florida to check on progress of the vehicle.
The department should take delivery of the new truck this month.
In other business, the Commissioners:
• Appointed Dillon Sutherlin to the Putnam County Airport Board.
Sutherlin replaces Joe Cooper, who recently stepped down from the board due to an imbalance in the political parties represented on the board.
Sutherlin was one of three Democrats up for the position, along with longtime board member Perry Wainman and Gary Lemon.
A 2020 Greencastle High School graduate, Sutherlin is currently studying to become a pilot.
“I know that I am young, but I am very eager, if you guys would appoint me, to learn about the government and learn with you guys and the other board members,” Sutherlin told the board.
In making the motion to appoint Sutherlin, Commissioner Tom Helmer noted that he appreciated Sutherlin attending the recent meetings as he sought the position.
Commissioners Rick Woodall and David Berry joined Helmer in the 3-0 vote.
• Opened a single bid on the demolition of the old Cedar Crest Motel on U.S. 40. The buildings on the property have been declared unsafe by the county.
The lone bid was from Dustin and Dakota Stevenson of D&D Property Management, Brazil, for $38,900.
The bid was acknowledged but had to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals for a recommendation before coming back to the Commissioners.
• Learned from Planning and Zoning Director Lisa Zeiner that one of the county’s two part-time building inspectors recently resigned.
Zeiner said she is seeking a second part-time inspector, but in the meantime the other inspector has been picking up the slack.
• Heard a request from DePauw students Durin Hendricks and Aaron Worley to use County Road 100 North in Marion Township for the Little 5 Bicycle Race.
The race, which is not being conducted on campus this year, would involve a 2.5-mile stretch of county road from the old Dixie Chopper plant to the Hendricks County line, and back.
The Commissioners recommended contacting the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to have deputies manning the ends of the road during the event, which will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 1.
Additionally, County Attorney Jim Ensley had a few insurance questions before final approval could be granted.