City buys house

It’s about time coming.
Those were the words of Portland Board of Works member Jerry Leonhard after the city received news that it can move forward with solving a long-term problem
Portland Board of Works Friday morning approved the contract between the city, Bank of America and the Federal Housing Authority for purchase of a vacant home that is above a broken sewer line.
They also discussed creating job descriptions for city employees.
Board members Bill Gibson, Mayor Randy Geesaman and Leonhard approved purchase of the property for $20,000 after negotiating with both entities. Soon after, the board awarded a $6,150 contract to A. Landon Excavating to raze the house, with that process expected to begin next week.
Other quotes came from Watson Excavating for $6,250 and TJs Concrete for $8,355.
In February, after the city hired Culy Contracting to clean and televise sewer pipes, the company found through camera work that there was a collapsed 24-inch sewer line underneath the foreclosed home. Geesaman said the city will handle removing trees from around the house.
At least 160 feet of tile will be replaced once demolition is complete.
For three months it was one of the topics continually brought up in city council meetings as the city attempted to make the correct connections to purchase the property.
Fixing the broken sewer line is expected to help water drainage in the area of North, Race and Arch streets between Pleasant and Middle streets where flooding has been a frequent problem.
The board also approved hiring New Focus HR in Indianapolis to create job descriptions for about 45 different city positions at a cost of $100 each.
Gibson wondered if it would be difficult for some descriptions that have employees who work similar jobs, such as those at the wastewater treatment plant.
Wastewater superintendent Bob Brelsford said his employees are cross-trained in case one worker is unavailable but some jobs have different pay rates. Clerk-treasurer Lori Aker-Ferguson said her office is similar and the company will send the descriptions to the city to allow employees to review them and suggest changes before they are approved.
The descriptions come as part of a statewide mandate put in place earlier this year through the Indiana State Board of Accounts. Job descriptions must be in place by June 30.
In other business, the board:
•Approved an agreement with John and Gretchen Young, 690 W. 200 South, to allow access to the waterwater treatment plant’s driveway to harvest timber in their nearby woods.
•Learned Portland Fire Department is looking for a new fire fighter and will begin advertising the position next week.