Project needs changes

The City of Portland will need to make changes to its plan for sewer repairs for a section of Ind. 26, but the project is still on the table, Portland City Council learned Tuesday.
The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to replace a section of Ind. 26 from the alley behind the Portland Branch of the United States Postal Service on Meridian Street to the bridge at the eastern edge of the city near Jay-Randolph Developmental Service. The city wanted to repair the sewer lines beneath the street at the same time.
Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman at Tuesday’s council meeting said R&R Visual attempted to televise 13 sections of sewer that run under Ind. 26 in that area and found most of the pipes in the area are fractured and cracked, so they cannot be lined as originally planned.
Instead, most of the pipes will have to be replaced.
“It doesn’t look very promising (for lining),” Geesaman said.
But the estimated cost of sewer portion of the project did decrease from $1.2 million to $941,000.
“At this point, we’re still moving forward with the Ind. 26 project,” Geesaman added.
He emailed state representatives, senators and Congressman Marlin Stutzman to find ways to help pay for the project, but has yet to hear back from any of them.
Council also learned mapping of the city’s sewer system is now complete, and the maps are viewable at city hall.
Jones and Henry Engineers began mapping the sewer system last fall and recently completed the project.
“The mapping gives us an overall scope of what we do have under the city of Portland,” Geesaman said.
In other business, council members Mark Hedges, Kip Robinette, Bill Gibson, Kent McClung and Don Gillespie:
•Learned the mayor will hold a public forum Sept. 18 at Judge Haynes Elementary School. The event will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and focus on the Geesaman Industries Alternative Project.
•Learned a public hearing about the 2015 budget will be held Sept. 15.
•Approved a $6,907 fire contract for Jefferson Township that reflects the 2.5 percent yearly increase approved by former Mayor Bruce Hosier.
•Paid $1,805,840.42 in claims.