Pierceton Debates Treatment Plant Improvements
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
PIERCETON - About 75 people attended a public hearing at the town council meeting Monday to hear of improvements to the wastewater treatment plant.
Board president Jerry Kreger advised citizens the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has mandated a zero infiltration policy, meaning no untreated sewage is to enter Deeds Creek from the facility. Deeds Creek flows into Pike Lake.
The council is aware a lot of stormwater enters the system. The current plant overflows within an hour of a heavy rain.
The plan, estimated to cost between $1.2 million and $1.7 million, is to construct two huge holding tanks. Funds for construction will come from tax increment financing funds, county economic development income taxes, the sewer improvement fund and, possibly, a Community Focus Funding grant provided by the Indiana Department of Commerce for about $500,000. This funding still leaves the town about $300,000 short, and a bond issue will be sought.
Bob Murphy of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill, plans to apply for the CFF grant and said the turnout of residents shows the IDOC the public is behind the improvements. He suggested everyone also write letters in support of the project.
In addition to Pierceton, the town wastewater treatment plant treats sewage from Larwill and Regency Pointe Estates.
Kreger said videotaping and smoke tests of the pipes show sump pumps and catch basins lead into the sanitary sewer lines.
When questions were taken, Russell Sammons asked why the state's Rainy Day Fund, which has millions of dollars, couldn't pay for the improvements. He said his property taxes went up 50 percent, too.
"If the state is going to tell us what to do with our poop, they ought to pay for it," he said.
Murphy said the Rainy Day Fund, like the Build Indiana funds which come from gambling money, has been diverted to the state's use and neither is going toward projects anymore.
Kreger said there are sewer lines made of field tile and those will eventually have to be replaced.
Bill Smith said he's seen toilet paper floating in standing water near his home. Brad Stahl said years ago there were no problems with wet basements in town. Many people talked about water problems on their property, but Kreger said the environmental issues have to be addressed first. "The storm drain problem will have to be fixed over the next 10 years," he said.
Even with the grant, customers are looking at a minimum sewage increase of $5 per month, Murphy said. Without the grant the increase will be about $13 per month.
He was confident the award would be granted, if not in this next round of awards, then in the spring.
One taxpayer wanted to know if the town had access to drainage tax accounts and Kreger said no.
"We have to beg, borrow and steal to get the county to come and clear out a tile," he said.
The board introduced an ordinance increasing the sewage rates based on the Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth, figures of $2 million for the project. July 15 was given as the date for the hikes. The ordinance can be amended.
The first 2,000 gallons will be charged $15.70; $9.40 per 1,000 gallons for 4,000 gallons; $6.22 per 1,000 gallons for the next 9,000 gallons; $5.50 per 1,000 gallons for the next 20,000 gallons; $4.72 per 1,000 gallons for the next 45,000 gallons; and $3.96 per 1,000 gallons for 80,000 gallons. The minimum charge for any user per month will be based on meter sizes: 5/8 to * inch water meter - $31.50; 1 inch - $53.90; 1-1/4 inch $77; up to a 6 inch water meter - $392.50.
A public hearing regarding the ordinance will be held during the April meeting.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a permanent sign for the Pierceton Fire Department. It will be 8 feet wide and made of brick.
Chief Gordon Baker said the fish fry will be April 24 with serving to begin at 4 p.m.
He also advised the board that several members will attend a defibrillation class in Warsaw at the end of the month and the department will become a non-transport basic life support/first responder department in the future.
Town marshal Tim Sammons said Jim Bumbaugh should return from police academy training in early April. He advised the board reserve officer April England has resigned.
• Approved application of a Community Focus Fund grant.
• Reviewed a letter by Pierceton Elementary School fifthgrade student Ethan Parson who requested a skate park.
• Approved tax abatements for Paragon Medical Systems and Stephan Enterprises.
Town council members are Jerry Kreger, Terry Hill and Bob Tenney. [[In-content Ad]]
PIERCETON - About 75 people attended a public hearing at the town council meeting Monday to hear of improvements to the wastewater treatment plant.
Board president Jerry Kreger advised citizens the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has mandated a zero infiltration policy, meaning no untreated sewage is to enter Deeds Creek from the facility. Deeds Creek flows into Pike Lake.
The council is aware a lot of stormwater enters the system. The current plant overflows within an hour of a heavy rain.
The plan, estimated to cost between $1.2 million and $1.7 million, is to construct two huge holding tanks. Funds for construction will come from tax increment financing funds, county economic development income taxes, the sewer improvement fund and, possibly, a Community Focus Funding grant provided by the Indiana Department of Commerce for about $500,000. This funding still leaves the town about $300,000 short, and a bond issue will be sought.
Bob Murphy of R.P. Murphy and Associates, Larwill, plans to apply for the CFF grant and said the turnout of residents shows the IDOC the public is behind the improvements. He suggested everyone also write letters in support of the project.
In addition to Pierceton, the town wastewater treatment plant treats sewage from Larwill and Regency Pointe Estates.
Kreger said videotaping and smoke tests of the pipes show sump pumps and catch basins lead into the sanitary sewer lines.
When questions were taken, Russell Sammons asked why the state's Rainy Day Fund, which has millions of dollars, couldn't pay for the improvements. He said his property taxes went up 50 percent, too.
"If the state is going to tell us what to do with our poop, they ought to pay for it," he said.
Murphy said the Rainy Day Fund, like the Build Indiana funds which come from gambling money, has been diverted to the state's use and neither is going toward projects anymore.
Kreger said there are sewer lines made of field tile and those will eventually have to be replaced.
Bill Smith said he's seen toilet paper floating in standing water near his home. Brad Stahl said years ago there were no problems with wet basements in town. Many people talked about water problems on their property, but Kreger said the environmental issues have to be addressed first. "The storm drain problem will have to be fixed over the next 10 years," he said.
Even with the grant, customers are looking at a minimum sewage increase of $5 per month, Murphy said. Without the grant the increase will be about $13 per month.
He was confident the award would be granted, if not in this next round of awards, then in the spring.
One taxpayer wanted to know if the town had access to drainage tax accounts and Kreger said no.
"We have to beg, borrow and steal to get the county to come and clear out a tile," he said.
The board introduced an ordinance increasing the sewage rates based on the Umbaugh and Associates, Plymouth, figures of $2 million for the project. July 15 was given as the date for the hikes. The ordinance can be amended.
The first 2,000 gallons will be charged $15.70; $9.40 per 1,000 gallons for 4,000 gallons; $6.22 per 1,000 gallons for the next 9,000 gallons; $5.50 per 1,000 gallons for the next 20,000 gallons; $4.72 per 1,000 gallons for the next 45,000 gallons; and $3.96 per 1,000 gallons for 80,000 gallons. The minimum charge for any user per month will be based on meter sizes: 5/8 to * inch water meter - $31.50; 1 inch - $53.90; 1-1/4 inch $77; up to a 6 inch water meter - $392.50.
A public hearing regarding the ordinance will be held during the April meeting.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a permanent sign for the Pierceton Fire Department. It will be 8 feet wide and made of brick.
Chief Gordon Baker said the fish fry will be April 24 with serving to begin at 4 p.m.
He also advised the board that several members will attend a defibrillation class in Warsaw at the end of the month and the department will become a non-transport basic life support/first responder department in the future.
Town marshal Tim Sammons said Jim Bumbaugh should return from police academy training in early April. He advised the board reserve officer April England has resigned.
• Approved application of a Community Focus Fund grant.
• Reviewed a letter by Pierceton Elementary School fifthgrade student Ethan Parson who requested a skate park.
• Approved tax abatements for Paragon Medical Systems and Stephan Enterprises.
Town council members are Jerry Kreger, Terry Hill and Bob Tenney. [[In-content Ad]]