Sewer Line Topic Of Upcoming Leesburg Meeting
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
LEESBURG - A workshop with business owners along Ind. 15, engineers and a representative from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management was scheduled during the monthly Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday.
The topic of the workshop, which is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church, will be the exploration of running Leesburg's proposed sewer line down Ind. 15 rather than the originally proposed Old 15 route.
Joe Tierney, of GRW Engineers, Indianapolis, said running the sewer down Ind. 15 would be $100,000 more expensive due to obtaining easements and coordinating efforts with the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The Ind. 15 plan also took into consideration the possibility that the road could be widened to as many as five lanes in the future.
The possibility of Warsaw becoming a factor in the sewer system was then discussed.
Michael Aylesworth, the director of the IDEM northern regional office, said he talked to Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins, and Warsaw would be more enthused about moving its sewer system further north if Leesburg used a gravity sewer system. Aylesworth also didn't know whether Warsaw would be willing to pick up any of the cost if Leesburg hooked on.
Wiggins confirmed in a telephone conversation this morning that he was in favor of a gravity system running south on Ind. 15 because it allowed for more development.
The possibility of Warsaw moving up to CR 400N was discussed because of the new YMCA building at the Warsaw Racquet Club and a possible residential development in the area.
Aylesworth also addressed residents' concerns about a perceived lack of attention to a downtown-only plan.
Leesburg resident Bob Cleveland asked town board president Rick Stookey, "If we have a public meeting and 70 percent of the town is against a sewer system, would you change your mind?"
Stookey said he didn't know.
Aylesworth said the town really doesn't have a choice in the matter. Leesburg entered into an agreed order, and due to the Clean Water Act, it wasn't just Leesburg in this situation.
Despite the proposed cost for residents, $76.80 a month, Aylesworth said it was something that had to be done.
"South Bend, Mishawaka, Indianapolis," said Aylesworth. "They're all dealing with this same sort of thing. It's not just Leesburg. It's a local responsibility. There is no state or federal money available. I wish it was different but IDEM is in no position to come in and give money."
Cleveland asked whether GRW investigated the possibility of a downtown-area-only system.
Residents and business owners at last month's town board meeting asked GRW to explore both a Ind. 15 plan and downtown-only plan.
The cost of a downtown-only system would be between $160-$190 per month. Tierney said that while most of those paying for the downtown plan would be businesses, some residents also would be required to pay that monthly rate.
Tierney also said problems could arise in land acquisition and operation and maintenance costs would be significantly higher.
While the town could apply for Department of Commerce grants, Tierney said he didn't feel Leesburg would quality for such grants.
Dan Brown of Phend and Brown said he, along with "half a dozen" other business owners along Ind. 15, met last week to discuss the sewer situation and had another meeting planned for Oct. 19.
Brown said the meeting was initially scheduled for Larry Polk's barn, but after Aylesworth and the town board showed interest in attending, it was moved to Leesburg Grace Brethren Church.
Larry Coplen, who owns Coplen Construction, said he talked with the county commissioners recently and they were very interested in Leesburg's situation and would like to see something go up Ind. 15.
Aylesworth said along with attending, he would contact Wiggins and the commissioners about the meeting.
The town board decided one board member would attend to avoid it being a public meeting that requires a public notice, though it wasn't decided who would attend.
The board also announced trick or treating in town is Oct. 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Town board members present were Stookey, Ryan Robinson and Jay Weaver. The next board meeting is Nov. 14 at 5:30 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]
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LEESBURG - A workshop with business owners along Ind. 15, engineers and a representative from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management was scheduled during the monthly Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday.
The topic of the workshop, which is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church, will be the exploration of running Leesburg's proposed sewer line down Ind. 15 rather than the originally proposed Old 15 route.
Joe Tierney, of GRW Engineers, Indianapolis, said running the sewer down Ind. 15 would be $100,000 more expensive due to obtaining easements and coordinating efforts with the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The Ind. 15 plan also took into consideration the possibility that the road could be widened to as many as five lanes in the future.
The possibility of Warsaw becoming a factor in the sewer system was then discussed.
Michael Aylesworth, the director of the IDEM northern regional office, said he talked to Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins, and Warsaw would be more enthused about moving its sewer system further north if Leesburg used a gravity sewer system. Aylesworth also didn't know whether Warsaw would be willing to pick up any of the cost if Leesburg hooked on.
Wiggins confirmed in a telephone conversation this morning that he was in favor of a gravity system running south on Ind. 15 because it allowed for more development.
The possibility of Warsaw moving up to CR 400N was discussed because of the new YMCA building at the Warsaw Racquet Club and a possible residential development in the area.
Aylesworth also addressed residents' concerns about a perceived lack of attention to a downtown-only plan.
Leesburg resident Bob Cleveland asked town board president Rick Stookey, "If we have a public meeting and 70 percent of the town is against a sewer system, would you change your mind?"
Stookey said he didn't know.
Aylesworth said the town really doesn't have a choice in the matter. Leesburg entered into an agreed order, and due to the Clean Water Act, it wasn't just Leesburg in this situation.
Despite the proposed cost for residents, $76.80 a month, Aylesworth said it was something that had to be done.
"South Bend, Mishawaka, Indianapolis," said Aylesworth. "They're all dealing with this same sort of thing. It's not just Leesburg. It's a local responsibility. There is no state or federal money available. I wish it was different but IDEM is in no position to come in and give money."
Cleveland asked whether GRW investigated the possibility of a downtown-area-only system.
Residents and business owners at last month's town board meeting asked GRW to explore both a Ind. 15 plan and downtown-only plan.
The cost of a downtown-only system would be between $160-$190 per month. Tierney said that while most of those paying for the downtown plan would be businesses, some residents also would be required to pay that monthly rate.
Tierney also said problems could arise in land acquisition and operation and maintenance costs would be significantly higher.
While the town could apply for Department of Commerce grants, Tierney said he didn't feel Leesburg would quality for such grants.
Dan Brown of Phend and Brown said he, along with "half a dozen" other business owners along Ind. 15, met last week to discuss the sewer situation and had another meeting planned for Oct. 19.
Brown said the meeting was initially scheduled for Larry Polk's barn, but after Aylesworth and the town board showed interest in attending, it was moved to Leesburg Grace Brethren Church.
Larry Coplen, who owns Coplen Construction, said he talked with the county commissioners recently and they were very interested in Leesburg's situation and would like to see something go up Ind. 15.
Aylesworth said along with attending, he would contact Wiggins and the commissioners about the meeting.
The town board decided one board member would attend to avoid it being a public meeting that requires a public notice, though it wasn't decided who would attend.
The board also announced trick or treating in town is Oct. 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Town board members present were Stookey, Ryan Robinson and Jay Weaver. The next board meeting is Nov. 14 at 5:30 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]