City to help with sewer

The City of Portland agreed Thursday to spend $20,000 and dedicate manpower to help alleviate flooding at Jay County Fairgrounds.
The Board of Works approved spending the money, which will go toward installing about 3,200 feet of an 18-inch storm sewer line from the fairgrounds to the Salamonie River. The project would help to alleviate flooding at the fairgrounds by replacing the current 15-inch lines with the new 18-inch ones. City employees would also be used to dig under Votaw Street and connect the sewers to the fairgrounds.
Bob Lyons, speaking on behalf of Jay County Fair Board, asked Board of Works members Bill Gibson, Jerry Leonhard and Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman for help with the project. He said the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association had already pledged $10,000 toward the $44,800 project. He also said he was confident he would be able to get the county to commit a matching $20,000.
Gibson was initially skeptical of getting the city involved.
“I think (the county) should cover the total cost,” he said. “That’s what we pay the ditch assessment for.”
Portland Wastewater Superintendent Bob Brelsford said the project will take flow away from the city’s lifts.
“I would really like to see that (water) out of the (city’s) sewer system,” he said. “It would be a very, very cheap separation job.”
Board members discussed the issue and came to the conclusion that it would save the city money.
“In the long run, it’s going to help us,” Gibson said. “Over 10 years, it would probably pay for itself.”
“It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” Geesaman said as the board unanimously approved the request.
After the issue was approved, city clerk-treasurer Mickey Pensinger said the city and county attorney, Bill Hinkle, should draw up an inter-local agreement between all the involved parties.
In other business, board members:
•Approved a $2,000 settlement with Larry Newland, 1224 N. Franklin St. During the construction phase of the northwest sewer project, Newland’s property suffered damage, according to a claim. Geesaman said Hinkle thought Newland had a legitimate claim to the money and board members voted to approve the settlement.
“It’d be a lot cheaper than going to court,” Gibson said.
•Approved a water leak adjustment for Wind Rush Apartments, 995 Boundary Pike. A representative of Wind Rush said the company was also planning to separate its meter from that of the next-door Portland Place. The two complexes currently share one meter.
•Approved the purchase of a new SUV for Portland Police Department. Portland Police Chief Nathan Springer presented the board with two quotes, and the board approved the lower of the two, a 2015 Dodge Durango from Fuqua Motors for $23,239.
•Approved a $22,000 contract with Butler, Fairman and Seufert to begin purchasing rights-of-way along the future site of the Northside Pedestrian Bicycle Greenway. The board had already reviewed the contract and sent it to the Indiana Department of Transportation for approval. The board approved the contract Wednesday after getting it back from INDOT with the state’s approval.