Redkey council reviews project

REDKEY — Engineers from Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering presented blueprints of the upcoming sewer separation project.
Redkey Town Council got their latest update on the project at its meeting Thursday and also reviewed plans for the new fire station to be built on the former town hall site.
Mitch Hansel of Fleis and Vandenbrink explained that the two-part sewer separation project includes rehabbing the sewer veins and upgrading the sewer plant to handle additional flow.
The plans showed the lines they are replacing, separating and upgrading were found with sewer videos. The work should take about nine months.
For the second part of the project David Harvey, also of Fleis and Vandenbrink, said, “We’re pretty much redoing the whole plant; it’s old, it’s tired and it has safety issues.”
Plans include eliminating the grit and screening chamber with wastewater going directly to the main lift station in the basement, upgrading to 480 volts for cost savings and a new headworks building that will double the size of the lab area and a new asphalt road to get to the plant. The work should take approximately 14 months to complete.
“It’s an exciting project, can’t wait to get going on it,” Harvey said.
Redkey received a $3.9 million grant and a $3.8 million, 40-year loan at 2.5 percent interest from the United States Department of Agriculture for the project. Construction is expected to begin in late April or early May.
The last step before bidding is obtaining one remaining easement. Wes Schemenaur, Redkey’s town attorney, was granted permission to file a condemnation suit and deposit the amount of the appraisal to the county clerk to obtain that easement for the project from the property of Bill Tressler.
Ami Huffman, community development director, presented council plans from Eastern Engineering for the new fire station. The town received a $400,000 grant through Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ Public Facilities Program.
“It’s pretty bare bones, no frills,” she said of the plans that have been pared down to get the project done for the amount of the grant.
The plans will be published on Feb. 8 and 15, a pre-bid meeting will be held on Feb. 16 at town hall and bids will be opened March 8. Huffman said potential bidders can look at the plans at her office at Community Resource Center, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland.
In other business, Ted Friddle, Mike Wright, Charles “Red” Coons, Doug Stanley and Dave Dudelston:
•Agreed to change insurance agents to Barnum-Brown Insurance in Dunkirk for workman’s comp, fire department and insurance for vehicles. The policy and cost will remain the same. Barnum-Brown provided the insurance for the town from 2003 until 2013.
•Were presented a framed copy of the Bicentennial Proclamation from Jay County bicentennial committee member Blake Watson.
•Gave permission to Jay County resident Steve Fennig to spearhead repairs to the clock tower above the Redkey Fire Station. It is the only clock tower in the county.
•Heard from town marshal Todd Miller that a three-year contract needs to be signed for deputy Ryan Miskinis since he recently completed training at the police academy. If Miskinis doesn’t complete the term, he will need to reimburse the town for the cost of the training.
•Agreed to allow Randy Young to purchase 12 rebuild kits for water meters for $12 each.
•Decided not to vacate part of Harrison Street that was requested by resident Larry Davidson, who lives on the corner of Harrison and Charles streets.
•Agreed to pay claims of $162,865.58.