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EMS seeks solution to closed bridges
A growing number of closed bridges in the county may cause an inconvenience for drivers, but the situation is even more dire when it comes to emergency services.
Putnam County EMS is doing its best to keep up with the recent closures while ensuring timely responses to medical emergencies.
Chief Kelly Russ and Deputy Chief Anthony Taylor appealed to the Putnam County Commissioners Monday morning.
“We need to figure out how we’re going to move forward,” Taylor said. “There’s no interagency cooperation at this point.”
Taylor noted that in the case of Bridge 252 in Franklin Township, the recent closure adds nine minutes to the response time to a nearby address. The additional time is even greater if a crew initially goes the wrong way and then has to backtrack.
A number of bridges have been closed in the county in recent weeks and months, including Bridge 252 in Franklin Township, Oakalla Covered Bridge in Madison Township, Dick Huffman Covered Bridge in Washington Township and Bridge 211 in Jefferson Township.
Bridge 276 in Madison Township has also been closed for reconstruction since last spring.
Additionally, Bridge 191 in Cloverdale Township and Bridge 154 in Marion Township have both been reduced to a single lane of traffic while awaiting repair.
While the information on bridge and road closures is available to all on the Putnam County GIS website (https://putnamin.wthgis.com/), this does not give EMS the ability to map new routes to the sites nor to share such information with other departments when mutual aid is needed.
The request was for an additional contract with WTH, the company that administers Putnam County’s GIS (Global Information System) program.
At a cost of $2,400, such money is not currently in the EMS budget.
After some discussion, the commissioners decided the most cost-effective and expedient way to get access for EMS would be through the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. The expenditure was unanimously approved.
Meanwhile, EMS also has construction going on right outside the front door of its Bloomington Street headquarters, but Taylor and Russ said this has gone well so far.
“The contractor for that project has done a phenomenal job in helping us,” Taylor said.
However, both noted the number of cars they see going the wrong way on the current one-way traffic of Bloomington Street/U.S. 231, worrying of a serious accident if something doesn’t’ change.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Heard from County Engineer Jim Peck that the county was recently approved for a $1 million Community Crossings grant that will repave portions of County Road 1050 South, County Road 700/800 South and Heritage Drive.
While this is good news, Peck and the commissioners disagreed over an additional expenditure relating to the projects.
Peck requested permission to hire Align (formerly Civil Engineering Associates) to develop a detailed set of bid documents that he said would reduce the amount charged by contractors for the work.
“The more detailed information I can give contractors, the better,” Peck said. “I think we’re paying kind of a premium compared to other counties for the unknown.”
Peck estimated that Putnam County has been paying $150,000 more than other counties for similar work, or 11.25 percent of what should be about a $1.33 million project.
The commissioners, however, balked at signing a contract with an unknown amount. Peck estimated it would cost the county between $10,000 and $12,000.
Ultimately, Peck was told to get a more concrete amount before coming back for the May 1 meeting.
“I’d sure like a more precise number on the cost,” Commissioner David Berry said.
“I can do that,” Peck replied.
• Also heard from Peck that the county fueling station recently failed its inspection with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Essentially, the county needs to invest $16,000 in the fuel station or be fined $10,000 and face prosecution.
The commissioners approved the expenditure from the Economic Development Warchest.
Additionally, IDEM advised Peck the underground tank is 24 years old, and such tanks begin to fail at 25-30 years. The county has been advised to start developing a plan for a new tank.
• Heard from Commissioner Rick Woodall that the county is getting closer to an Economic Development Agreement on the proposed solar farm near Russellville.
However, Woodall said that the CFO of Arevon, the energy company, threw a wrench in the proceedings when he suggested that the agreement would need to be prorated.
The proposal is for a 200-megawatt solar farm, but should the farm end up producing less, Arevon would pay less.
However, the county would also put a floor on what it would be paid.
Woodall added that even when an economic development agreement is reached, there will still be agreements on road use and decommissioning to reach.