City may seek help on bridge repairs

By RACHELLE HAUGHN

The Commercial Review

Portland officials are hoping the county will chip in and help foot the bill for unforeseen bridge repairs.

Members of the Portland Board of Works learned Thursday morning that a bridge over the Salamonie River had to be extensively repaired as part of the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project.

Herb Berg, who is overseeing the project for Bonar Group, said that while doing prep work around the bridge on South Wayne Street, construction workers discovered that it had heavy damage. He said it appeared the bridge had been hit by a vehicle at some point, and some parts were damaged by water. The repairs cost $13,799.25, he said.

Berg suggested that city officials ask county officials to help foot some of the bill for the repair work, since the county is responsible for the upkeep of all bridges. The street reconstruction project is mostly being funded through a grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation. INDOT is responsible for 80 percent of the cost, while the city is responsible for 20 percent. The city's responsibility for the bridge repairs would be $2,759.89.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said he thought it would be a good idea to meet with county officials and discuss the possibility of helping the city pay for the bridge repairs. Board of works members Bob McCreery and Bill Gibson agreed. The board is expected to discuss the matter more in a special meeting on April 9.

In a related matter, board members approved two other change orders for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project.

One of the change orders was for the addition of a drainage tile along South Wayne Street.

Berg said that as part of the project, the railroad crossing near Community and Family Services was leveled out. Where the big dips used to be on the sides of the street, there now are concrete walls. To prevent rain from pooling on the sidewalks near the concrete walls, drainage tile was installed. Cost was $2,000, which makes the city's match $400.

Some utility lines also increased the cost of the street reconstruction project by $3,873.26.

In two locations, there were drainage tiles and gas lines where streetlights were set to be installed. Because of the lines, the streetlights had to be moved back from the street. In order for all of the lights to illuminate in a straight line on the sidewalks, longer arms were needed. Instead of 8-foot arms, the two streetlights needed one 12-foot arm apiece. The city's total cost for both arms is $774.64.

Also Thursday, board members:

•Voted to keep costs for recycling collection the same.

Randy Geesaman, city clerk-treasurer, told board members that the current balance of the city's recycling fund is $47,188.65.

With the contract with Rumpke that recently was approved by the board, the cost of collection is $3.64 per unit per month for 2,400 units. The city currently charges residents $3 per month as part of their water/sewage bills. The difference between what Rumpke charges and what the city charges residents is $18,432. The city will be receiving a $12,000 contribution from the Jay County Solid Waste District, to help offset the cost.

"I think we're in good shape to stay with the $3," McCreery said.

"I think we're in a position where we can absorb $6,400," Hosier said.

•Approved a leak adjustment for city resident Joseph Franks, 1002 N. Ben Hawkins Ave.

Franks said he recently had a water leak between the house and the water meter.

The sewage portion of his water/sewage bill will be adjusted down to a three-month average prior to the leak, which is the city's policy.[[In-content Ad]]