Redkey OKs project change

REDKEY — Town council approved a change order for work on Redkey’s sewer and selected materials for the new wastewater treatment plant at Thursday night’s meeting.

Mitch Hansel, of engineering firm Fleis and Vandenbrink, presented a change order to council for $21,500. The order was necessary after exploratory digging and dye testing by Brackney, Inc., found that the sanitary sewer needs to be separated from the stormwater line on Union Street between Plum and Main streets. The order covers the cost of adding a new sewer line, laterals and replacing concrete sidewalk and driveway approaches.

Hansel said there are aspects of the project to come in the future that will save money for the town, in essence wiping out the extra costs incurred from four change orders.

“There will be savings on paving elsewhere, so it’ll be a wash,” Hansel said.

He also told council that excavating Thursday on Jordan Street led to the discovery that water and gas lines were in the location the sewer line was going to be placed, so Brackney will have to remove up to 4 feet of pavement on the side of the street to install the new sewer line.

Council also picked out colors for the material to be used at the wastewater treatment plant. For bricks, council settled on a burgundy color and for mortar it selected an ivory. Members of the council will have to meet with representatives of Crosby Construction of Fort Wayne to select specifications for the windows and other details of the construction.

Town attorney Wes Schemenaur presented council with a draft letter of non-compliance for homes in town that have septic systems that are hooked in to the wastewater system. Council decided to send a form letter to residents specifying what is against the town’s ordinance and indicating that Redkey will fine residents who do not rectify violations within 180 days.

Council members Dave Dudelston, Charles “Red” Coons, Doug Stanley, Ted Friddle and Mike Wright also discussed Saturday’s town-wide cleanup. Residents can place items at the street tonight to have them removed Saturday morning. Items that will not be picked up include tires, building materials, anything with freon, electronics and hazmat materials. Residents with questions about what can be picked up should call Redkey Town Hall at (765) 369-2711.

In other business, council:

•Scheduled two executive sessions — one at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the park cabin to hire a new employee, followed by a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. to approve the hiring, and the other was scheduled for 5:30 June 15 to discuss the town’s personnel policy.

•Approved a proposal to remove trees across the street from Redkey Fire Station.

•Heard an update from Town Marshal Todd Miller on ordinance compliance. Miller said police will continue to work with residents to enforce ordinances, but will give homeowners a chance to fix problems before citing them.

•Approved two water bill adjustments totaling $414.64 and rejected another because the individual was aware of the leak and waited to get it fixed.

•Withheld a $290 payment to Jay County Hospital for treatment of police officer Ryan Miskinis. According to Miskinis and Miller, the hospital didn’t treat him. Friddle said the hospital also needs to submit its bill as a workman’s compensation claim, not a town payable item.

•Approved $718,961.05 in project claims and $466,473.80 in claims.