LEESBURG - The Leesburg Town Council discussed the sewer project further at its Monday meeting.

Joseph Tierney, GRW Engineers Inc., provided a report on recent activities on the sewer project. Pump station sites have been cleared. Two quotes were received to look for artifacts on both sides of Ind. 15 -Êone for $2,900 and one at $3,800. The board agreed to accept the quote for $2,900 from Archaeological Consults of the Midwest Inc.

GRW is in the process of working on design plans, which will involve two people locating all wells and septic tanks and staking out grinder pump locations. These activities have not yet been scheduled, but notification to residents will be sent out before the work is started.

Other future activities will involve working on a brochure of frequently asked questions and responses to provide consistent information when people inquire about the sewer project. Tierney said the big thing is to firm up locations.

Jeff Rowe, CPA, manager of H.J. Umbaugh & Associates, gave an update on financial information associated with the sewer project. Construction costs are estimated at $3,478,000 and non-construction costs are $870,000, for a total project cost of $4,348,000. Costs include grinder pumps, transportation of wastewater and buy-in costs to the Warsaw wastewater plant.

Amortization of project-funding revenue bonds assumed a Jan. 1, 2007, issuance date and a 40-year payback period, and were estimated based on a $500,000 Office of Rural Affairs Community Focus Fund grant, and with and without a grant of $350,000 from Kosciusko County. Annual debt service requirements are estimated at $214,265 with only the CFF grant, and $193,674 with the CFF and county grants.

Total estimated annual operation maintenance and replacement costs are estimated at $166,313, which includes $103,600 in treatment costs paid to Warsaw, which was based on the proposed treatment rate between Warsaw and Winona Lake.

Estimates of monthly rates and charges for residential customers include: billing charges of $2.22; operating and maintenance, $28.43; replacement, $3.15; and annual debt service costs of $43.55 or $39.36. Monthly billing is estimated at $77.35 with only the CFF grant, or $73.16 with both CFF and county grants.

Rowe said, "All financial numbers will vary as we get further into the project."

Also discussed were other possible sources of funds, including the possibility of a need for upfront dollars before the bond issue is finalized.

Initial indications are that NIPSCO will work with the town on the project. Also stressed was the need for the Ind. 15 project to be defined before proceeding with the sewer project.

Michael Aylesworth, northern regional office director with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, also attended the meeting. He said, "Our role is to support the project and make sure the project is moving forward."

In other business:

• The Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. May 29 and end with a service at the cemetery at 11 a.m.

• A town garage sale will be held in mid-June.

Representing the Town of Leesburg were: Carolyn Beatty, clerk/treasurer; board members Ryan Robinson, Rick Stookey and Jay Weaver; and Vern Landis, attorney. [[In-content Ad]]