Sewer project to move forward

Portland is moving forward with a sewer project as well as a fix for flooding issues in the city.
Portland City Council approved an ordinance setting aside money for the northwest sewer project, which has been approved by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and discussed the replacement of flap gates to help with flooding problems.
Ordinance 2015-2, which the council approved unanimously, set aside $1.2 million for the northwest sewer project, which includes replacing sewer lines on Grand, High, Arch, Race, Alexander and Williams streets. It is designed to help with flooding issues on the west side and will also serve to fulfill the city’s financial obligation from a 2009 grant.
Late that year, the city passed on an OCRA grant of more than $900,000 to Wisconsin-based manufacturer Geesaman Industries. But the business never met conditions of the deal, such as the creation of 50 jobs within 18 months of receiving the grant, and responsibility for paying back the grant funds fell upon the city.
The city liquidated the company’s assets and paid OCRA $132,000 of the original grant money. A deal was crafted in which the remaining $737,825 owed to OCRA would be forgiven if the amount was invested into a local disaster relief project.
Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman said Monday that OCRA has given its approval to move forward on the project. Watson Excavation has already been chosen to handle the work, which is expected to begin by early April.
Geesaman also reviewed details of the installation of new flap gates and check valves on the city’s sewer system. The goal is to mitigate flooding issues around the city.
Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd., found last fall that some of the city’s flap gates are not functioning correctly, allowing river water to back up in the combined sewers.

“It won’t solve the problem completely, but it will dramatically help the flooding situation,” said Geesaman.
Bids for the project will be reviewed at the March 12 board of works meeting.
Council members Don Gillespie, Kent McClung, Bill Gibson, Kip Robinette and Mark Hedges, absent Michael Brewster and Judy Aker, also:
•Approved paying claims totaling $914,578.49.
•Were reminded there is a meeting with Indiana Department of Transportation to discuss community concerns about highway conditions and other matters at 2 p.m. Thursday in council chambers. The meeting is open to the public.
•Heard Gillespie praise the city workers for their efforts in clearing streets after 6 inches of snow fell Saturday and Sunday. Gillespie said he was especially pleased that sidewalks on the bridge on Meridian Street near East Jay Middle School were cleared to allow students to walk to school.