Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - Claypool Town Council approved several State Revolving Fund payments and heard an update on the grant process for a potential park project during a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Zach Dripps, director of operations and community development with Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), provided council with an update on the Community Amenities Program (CAP) park project. If funded, the park would be near the town building.
Dripps said they worked with Sinclair Recreation to "get a more detailed and refined quote for the park improvements, new equipment." The cost is approximately $750,000. Grant applications to CAP and the K21 Health Foundation were submitted, with Dripps and Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner meeting with the CAP committee last week to address questions about the project.
"We'll find out hopefully next month whether they've accepted our project, or if they have some more follow-up questions," said Dripps.
Dripps also said MACOG has partnered with the ML Community Impact Alliance, who is submitting, on behalf of the town, a grant to Norfolk Southern. Grant applications through GameTime's Community Champions Playground Grant program, The Dekko Foundation and the Zimmer Biomet Foundation are also being worked on.
In other business, council approved the following SRF payments for the town's ongoing wastewater and stormwater improvement project. The payments were: $225,956.27, Crosby Construction, which is broken down to $173,818.27 from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and $52,138, SRF; $67,344.19, Crosby Construction; and $38,003, Commonwealth Engineers. With these payments to Crosby, Council President Benny Stage said this completed almost 94% of the town's contract with them.
Spencer Bartlett, Clay Township trustee, also attended the meeting to introduce himself to council and to discuss the Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce (MUST), which is a new group related to Indiana's Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1210. The taskforce's primary role, according to Baker Tilly's website, is to "negotiate and unanimously approve a local income tax distribution agreement, specifically addressing the county's maximum local income tax rates."
Bartlett also said the township is seeking an addendum to the town's fire protection contract with the Claypool Fire Department. He requested the contract amount be adjusted to $10,900, noting an increase in costs to maintain the department and higher fuel costs. Council approved the adjustment.
The council also:
• Accepted a resignation letter from Town Marshal Trevor Long, who was not present at the council meeting.
At their July meeting, council approved placing Long on a consecutive five-day suspension with no pay due to Long signing a contract with the Department of Homeland Security without council approval.
• Approved a two-year trash and recycling contract with Borden Waste-Away, with the amount increasing from $14.98 to $16.28 for residential services.
• Approved a task order from Commonwealth Engineers for work on Calhoun Street. This includes a lump sum for the townwide roadway asset valuation, an on-call hourly agreement related to the 2027 Community Crossings grant program, and for hourly railroad assistance.
• Approved an engagement agreement with Barnes & Thornburg, Fort Wayne, for them to handle the bond for the Claypool Redevelopment Authority.
Council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, in the Claypool Lions Club building.
