LEESBURG - Obtaining the necessary easements from property owners was the main topic at Monday night's special sewer project meeting with the Leesburg Town Board.

Melissa Robinson, Leesburg clerk-treasurer, said only about 90 of the almost 200 required easements have been signed and returned. Because the sewer project is mandated by an Agreed Order from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, all properties inside the city limits must be connected to the new sewer system. The first key step in the project is obtaining easements from all property owners for grinder pumps located on their properties.

Anyone who has not received easement forms for all property they own, or if they have questions about the easements, should contact one of the town board members, Ryan Robinson, Rick Stookey or Jay Weaver.

Easement approvals may be notarized at National City or Farmer's State banks or The Insurance Shoppe, corner of Van Buren and Pearl streets, Leesburg. The notarized forms may be submitted to the town at the street department or The Insurance Shoppe. Additional efforts required to obtain easements after Nov. 30 will result in adding costs to the project.

Julia Graham, GRW Engineers Inc., Indianapolis, reported representatives met briefly with Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins to discuss capacity issues and the treatment rates Warsaw will charge to process Leesburg's sewage. She also reported the county highway and Indiana Department of Transportation permits have been completed.

Joe Tierney, GRW, presented questions and issues requiring further consideration. Topics included design-related issues, such as the minimum distance required between the grinder pumps and buildings, and specific control panel locations and limitations. Requirements such as these must be defined in advance to avoid costly change orders during installation.

Tierney also presented a number of issues to be addressed for properties outside Leesburg with access to the system that may choose to be part of the initial project. The board agreed that existing residences along Ind. 15 adjacent to the sewer line between Leesburg and Warsaw may initially tap into the system. Those properties would become part of the overall project under the same conditions as properties inside Leesburg. A date needs to be determined by which these property owners must request initial inclusion.

Future property owners or existing property owners requesting connection to the system at a later date will be responsible for the cost of the necessary equipment and installation to tap into the system.

Also presented was the need to determine pre-treatment requirements for commercial installations and available capacity for new businesses.

Jerimi Ullom, attorney with Barnes and Thornburg LLP, Indianapolis, introduced two documents for the board's review. The Reimbursement Resolution allows the town to recoup costs initially paid from the town's general funds from designated project funds. The resolution is retroactive 60 days prior to approval and was approved by the board.

Ullom also introduced the Bond Ordinance for the board's review. The document provides for authorization of the project and issuance of "bands" for short-term project financing, and procurement and rates for issuing bonds for long-term financing. Ullom presented the highlights of what's included in the Bond Ordinance, which is to be reviewed for adoption at the next town board meeting.

The next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13.

Representing Leesburg were board members Ryan Robinson, Stookey and Weaver; Vern Landis, town attorney; Melissa Robinson, clerk-treasurer; and Ed Riordan, street commissioner. [[In-content Ad]]