Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
ETNA GREEN - Approvals continued Tuesday for the wastewater treatment facility that the engineer said he believes has finally reached substantial completion.
Although notice has not yet been submitted by HRP Construction of South Bend, Mark Sullivan of Commonwealth Engineering told the Etna Green Town Council that he thinks "we're at the point of substantial completion."
In light of reaching that goal, which was originally set for the end of November and has since been extended each month, Sullivan asked the council to schedule a pre-final inspection with Farmers Home for the afternoon of April 10. The council meeting next month is that evening.
As part of a monthly review of the progress of the work, the council approved payment of a claim for $25,899.68 at the recommendation of Sullivan, who explained that even when the town pays the claim, there is still about $70,000 in retainage for the project.
Also at the recommendation of Sullivan, the council tabled a claim for $2,045 for rental of a generator for a start-up test.
"I have a hard time buying this one," Sullivan told the council. He said that the cost was not pre-approved by the council even though job specifications say nothing is to be done without the owner's approval. Sullivan said the bill was submitted "after the fact" and the town didn't have an option in the matter. If contacted, other avenues could have been explored, including using a town-owned generator or delaying the start-up test until electric service was run to the facility.
"It's just another log on the fire of, 'Oops, we forgot to notify you ... and now you have to pay,'" said council president Eileen Hall.
Sullivan said the bottom line is that there was a sense of urgency in doing the test and the cost should have been approved before the work was done.
The council did approve a tabled item regarding the costs for cutting off a well casing head that a breakdown was requested on at last month's meeting. That cost was $1,400. A change order for $488.75 to move a gate also was approved and it was noted that the item was submitted through the proper channels - before the work was completed.
In other business, the council:
• Is seeking someone to mow the grass at the town hall and fire station. Anyone interested should contact clerk-treasurer Laura Baker.
• Announced large-item trash pickup is set for April 5 and 12. A list of items not allowed to be placed out for pickup will be posted at the town hall.
• Approved submitting the 2000 budget for repayment of a loan to Rural Development.
• Signed the annual electric utility report required by the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Approved a contract for Bob Johnson/Spectrum Services for consulting services for water testing at a cost of $1,000 per month. The testing is needed for the town to remain in compliance with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
• Gave permission for David Fritzel to attend line school in April. The exact dates and location of the schooling is not known at this time.
Etna Green Town Council members are Eileen Hall, Ruben "R.B." Conley and Jeff Klinefelter. The council meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the fire station meeting room.
