Fence will be built around dump

REDKEY — The town has a solution for dealing with its former dump site.

Redkey Town Council on a split vote Thursday decided to hire Gabbard Fence of Winchester to construct a fence around the former dump site in order to bring it into compliance with Indiana Department of Environmental Management standards.

Council also heard several requests from the Redkey Festival Committee and concerns about the state of finances for the water department.

The issue of the former dump located southeast of the railroad tracks at the Mooney Street/county road 650 South curve came up last summer when town officials were notified by IDEM that the site needed to be addressed. Redkey had the option to either build a fence around the site or clean it up to IDEM specifications. The town faced the possibility of fines if the issue was not resolved.

Council in January received two quotes for the fence, with the low quote of $27,375 coming from Gabbard Fence of Winchester. But no decision was made at that meeting or last month.

On Thursday, council member Doug Stanley made the motion to move forward with having Gabbard construct a fence around the former dump site, contingent on the town receiving a loan from Redkey Economic Development Corporation for the work. (REDC had previously said it would be willing to make such a loan, to be paid back over five years.) Ted Friddle seconded that motion. 

During discussion prior to voting, council member Randy May said he preferred the option of cleaning up the site and added that he had a quote to get the work done at a lower cost. Other council members expressed concerns, noting that the quote May received did not go through the formal process.

In order to receive new quotes, the process would need to be restarted.

Council eventually voted on Stanley’s motion to hire Gabbard to construct the fence, approving it 3-2 with Terri Taylor, Stanley and Friddle in favor and Dave Dudelston and May against.

Council members also discussed the need for repairs to the cabin at Redkey Morgan Park. The facility is in need of a new roof, as well as other upgrades.

The bulk of the conversation revolved around funding for the project. Options include using economic development funds the town received via the Bluff Point Wind Energy Center project, seeking a grant from The Portland Foundation or looking for other grant options.

Council agreed to work on creating a list what specific repairs are needed so that they can get an idea of the cost and at the same time continue to look into funding options.

Kevin Tighe of the Redkey Festival Committee approached council for the second time in as many months with requests regarding events scheduled for this year. He asked about allowing festival vendors access to water and electricity, as well as the possibility of receiving event insurance through the town’s policy. Town council members agreed to check into each request.

Clerk-treasurer Debbie James and town employee Randy Young both raised concerns about the state of Redkey’s water fund, asking town council members to look at the finances and consider raising water rates. James said water rates have not been raised in 10 years.

Stanley said he had already reviewed the finances. His analysis: “We’re going broke.”

In other business, council:

•Heard from May that junk/trash notices will begin being issued sometime after April 1. The notices let residents know their properties are in violation of town ordinance and need to be cleaned up. If they are not, property owners can then by cited.

•Approved a personnel policy change to increase the clothing allowance for police to $1,100 from $900. The change had already been approved in the budget, but the personnel policy had not been adjusted to reflect the increase.

•Heard a presentation from Heather Castleman of Colonial Life about offering supplemental health insurance for town employees. Council members agreed to review the information she provided.

•Approved a change order for $67,984.33 for the completion of sewer line work. Mitch Hansel of Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering told council the work is expected to start in late April and be complete by June 28.

•Heard complaints from two residents about the system by which water bills are calculated and a concern about street paving following sewer work.

•Approved the following: the purchase of two sets of tires for police vehicles at a cost of $1,116; renewing its mowing agreement with Tim Kesler at no increase; a dozen water bill adjustments because of underground or under-house leaks (one request was rejected because the leak occurred in the garage); payment of claims totaling $301,506.13.

•Heard suggestions from May that more town police be certified to be able to turn off water and to not charge for water that does not go through the sewer system. (He gave water used to fill a swimming pool as an example.) Both issues were discussed, but did not moved forward.