IDEM requires action on dump

REDKEY — Following a complaint to a state agency, Redkey Town Council members face making a decision about the town’s dump.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management has been in contact with Redkey since August concerning the site southeast of the railroad tracks and the Mooney Street/county road 650 South curve.

The town dump does not have a fence around it that is up to IDEM’s standards. Council president Doug Stanley said the site has not been used in decades, since Redkey began using Jay County Landfill.

Redkey could face a fine if no action is taken to resolve the issue. 

“He said that they don’t want to fine us they just want us to comply. They have dealt with a small town that didn’t want to comply, and it ended up costing them $90,000,” said clerk-treasurer Debbie James. “He said he’s been very patient with us, and he would just like a phone call with what we have decided we are going to do.”

Two estimates were presented for the construction of a fence around the dump. In addition to the fence, the deed must be adjusted so that the property cannot be sold again.

“Well, we don’t have a choice. This is IDEM,” Stanley told fellow members Ted Friddle, Dave Dudelston and Randy May, absent Terri Taylor. “They are not going to change their mind. They are not going to change their position.”

One estimate for the fence came in at just over $27,000. The other was about $34,000.

“My feelings is I’d rather put the money in putting clay over it, a foot to a foot and a half,” said May, taking part in his first meeting since his election in November. “We keep it mowed because the problem is if the fence blows down the problem is still there.”

To avoid the need for a fence, all scrap metal would need to be cleared from the site. Trees would need to be removed as well, and no trees could be allowed to grow in the area in the future. Then, clay would need to be laid over the dump.

“The whole thing is they had a complaint against the dump,” said Debbie James. “They had a complaint, they had to act on it, and now the town had to do something. That’s what it boils down to.”

Stanley initially made a motion to accept the bid of $27,375 from Gabbard to install the fence, contingent on funding from Redkey Economic Development Corporation. But Stanley withdrew that motion because he sits on the REDC board. (Stanley said this morning that the REDC is willing to provide the funds in the form of a loan that the city would pay back over five years.)

Beyond that, council took no action. Stanley said he plans to talk with IDEM representatives today regarding the situation.

In other business, council:

•Heard from Matthew Conn about an adjustment on his water bill. He said the meter is faulty. Council decided to wait on approving a adjustment until the results on the accuracy of meter come back.

•Decided to hear estimates at its next meeting for repairing the roof at the park cabin.

•Heard from Sam Thomas on behalf of Jay County Trails Club, which is applying for a DNR grant that would add a recreation trail from Redkey to Dunkirk alongside the existing railroad track. Council endorsed the grant application.

•Discussed making an amendment to the salary ordinance to allow for hiring an additional employee to help clear roads of snow during winter months.

•Heard from former council member Mike Wright about several issues, including the need to pave Grandview Avenue.

•Heard May propose that police officers be able to take their cars home when off duty.