Redkey going after grant again (12/21/07)

REDKEY - A second attempt to gain a $500,000 state grant for water system improvements here was launched Thursday night.

The first in a series of public hearings on the issue was conducted Thursday by Jay County Community Developer Ami Huffman and Redkey council members.

Town council members then unanimously approved a resolution to apply for the grant funds.

Huffman said a preliminary application for the grant will be submitted to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs in January with a more detailed document package to follow in March. Also Thursday night Redkey council members made a commitment to supply local matching funds if the grant request is approved.

Redkey officials have applied for $1.7 million in United States Department of Agriculture loans and grants. This federal money could be used to meet the state matching grant requirements, town council president Doug Stanley and clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby said.

The grant funds are needed to provide a new, larger water storage tank for the community, replacing the present tank that is about 80 years old.

Redkey's 1920s era water tower and tank have the capacity to hold 75,000 gallons of water but the town uses approximately 125,000 gallons of water a day. The current tanks also leaks if it is filled to capacity, town officials said. Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials have already recommended that the present tank be replaced with a larger capacity one.

If approved, the grant funds would also be used to upgrade the town's water plant and replace water mains in a portion of the community.

Redkey utilities department supervisor Violet Erlenbush said the tank is basically "worn out," as well as being pitted with holes on the inside. Fire Chief Randy Young said, "It's shot," adding that the support railings for making repairs and maintenance work are in bad shape.

The town is committed to making this improvement a reality, Stanley said.

Meanwhile, Huffman pointed out that state officials told her that a major shortcoming of the town's first application, which was recently rejected, involved a need for a show of greater support for the project by community members. Huffman said she was told that more support from the community in the form of letters and statements at public hearings would be helpful in gaining approval for the grant. She said any letters of support could be left with Kirby at the town hall.

This grant process is very competitive, Huffman said.

In other business Thursday night Redkey Town Council members:

•Honored a member of the U.S. Air Force who recently returned home after serving on active duty for six months in Iraq. Town council president Doug Stanley presented Jesse Erlenbush, a 2001 graduate of Jay County High School, with a plaque thanking him for his service to his country and community. Erlenbush holds the rank of E-4 and is assigned to military security duties. He is currently home on leave before reporting for his next assignment at Hickem Air Force Base in Hawaii.

•Noted that Randy Young had been re-elected by the Redkey Volunteer Firefighters to serve as fire chief for another year. Also Don Knisely was re-elected secretary-treasurer of the Redkey volunteer firefighters organization.

•Set noon on Jan. 1 as the time to swear in town council members at Redkey town hall, 20 S. Ash St. Elected to serve their first four-year terms on the council last November were Phil Philebaum and Terri Taylor. Also incumbent council member Dottie Quakenbush was re-elected to another term.

•Set a special meeting for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, in town hall for the election of town council officers for the coming year.

•Directed that bids be accepted for a new three-year trash disposal contract. Town attorney John Brooke said that he would help with this project.

•Accepted Brooke's offer to trim his law firm's latest six-month bill by 50 percent as a Christmas gift to the community. Brooke told Kirby to reduce the bill from approximately $6,000 to $3,000. His firm has made similar donations in the past during the holiday season.

•Heard Stanley thank outgoing town council members Dixie Toy and Darrell Smith for their service on the board. "This is a difficult job," Stanley said.

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