Steen work to begin next week

Work on a project that will alleviate drainage problems in a southeast Portland neighborhood is expected to begin next week.
David Ayala of R.W. Armstrong told members of the Portland Board of Works this morning that employees of Bruns Building and Development Corporation, St. Henry, Ohio, plan to begin cutting trenches for the Steen Addition storm and sanitary sewer separation project next week.
Construction will likely begin the following week, he said.
The project will separate storm and sanitary sewers, thus reducing the amount of storm water in the city’s sewer system and preventing some of that combined sewage from backing up and being discharged into area ditches, streams and rivers.
This morning, board members approved a request to pay for $14,367.20 in project materials. Bruns purchased the materials early so construction could begin as soon as possible.
The city will pay 38 percent of the construction cost and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs will pay the remaining 62 percent. The cost of construction is $683,362.70 and engineering is $108,900. The city will pay all of the engineering cost through sewage depreciation funds, making the city’s total outlay for the project $361,744.20.
Also this morning, board members:
•Approved a leak adjustment for Eric Parker, 902 E. Walnut St.
The leak occurred between the house and the water meter, thus meeting the city requirements for a leak adjustment. The sewage portion of his water/sewage bill will be adjusted down to a three-month average prior to the leak.
•Learned that Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier’s executive assistant Carla Horn has used up sick and vacation days is now on a leave of absence through the Family and Medical Leave Act. The city is required to allow Horn to keep her job for up to 12 weeks. She has been caring for a member of her family who is ill.[[In-content Ad]]