LEESBURG - Vern Landis, Leesburg town attorney, reported the low bidder for the bond anticipation note was National City Bank, Leesburg branch, at an interest rate of 4.35.

The board approved the proposal, which will provide funds to pay sewer expenses until permanent bond money is available.

Melissa Robinson, Leesburg clerk/treasurer, reported three main line easements within the town have not been received, quite a few grinder pump easements are still needed, and they're still waiting on easements for the line along Ind. 15 south of Leesburg. She will start going door to door to obtain the necessary easements as soon as she receives notary authorization.

Julia Graham, GRW Engineers Inc., said Rural Development will not approve any funding until the agreement with Warsaw has been finalized. The agreement is needed by mid-January for the next round of funding. She also provided a "Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment for the Town of Leesburg Sewer Project," which must be published in the local paper.

Graham also provided the following information on permits:

• The railroad permit application has been submitted and is in the process of review.

• The IDEM construction permit was submitted with Warsaw's sewer extension along Ind. 15. IDEM has sent back a response. Warsaw is working to combine some of the front-end application pages to return to IDEM. Warsaw plans to submit a response before Christmas.

• IDEM Rule 5 (erosion control) permit was submitted and reviewed by Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District. The next steps will be publishing a notice in the local paper and submitting a notice of intent to IDEM close to the time of construction.

The proposed policy memo and letter to property owners along Ind. 15, outlining voluntary connection to the Leesburg sewer line, was presented to the board for their review.

Joe Tierney, GRW, reviewed technical requirements for the sewer system. The grinder pump needs to be at least 8 feet from the house. Possible control panel locations was discussed, and the board requested the flexibility to allow residents to select the location, either on a post next to the grinder pump or a post next to the house. No control panels will be attached to the house.

Feb. 1 is the deadline for property owners along Ind. 15S to apply for connection to the Leesburg sewer line. During the initial project, the cost of the equipment and installation up to 150 feet from the force main will be included in overall project costs and customers will be billed at the same rates as within Leesburg. Property owners will be responsible to provide the electrical connection to the control panel and pay for monthly electrical use. Connection is optional.

If not requested by Feb. 1, property owners not included in the initial project must pay all costs to install and maintain the grinder pump and line to the force main. The monthly rate will be at least as much as Leesburg residents pay, but could be higher, based on cost at that time.

Bob Murphy, R.P. Murphy and Associates Planning Consultants, reviewed grant requirements and the process. He intends to apply to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs March 16.

In other business, the board approved the salary ordinance for 2007 and approved funds to fix the roof on the town hall.

The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the town hall.

Representing Leesburg were: board members Ryan Robinson, Rick Stookey and Jay Weaver. [[In-content Ad]]