Redkey revisits vehicle, water issues

REDKEY — Town officials have decided to revisit the idea of purchasing a new police vehicle.

Redkey Town Council on Thursday discussed the issue of the third police car, a topic that has been under consideration since last fall.

The possibility of allowing residents to access their water meter pits in the event of a leak was also revisited, but did not make it to a vote.

The police department’s 2013 Ford Explorer has been out of commission with a blown engine since last fall. In December, council voted to purchase a new vehicle to replace it.

However, when three new members joined the council in 2020, that vote was rescinded, citing a lack of funds for the purchase. Since then, council members have discussed various options for either repairing the Explorer’s engine or purchasing a new vehicle. Meanwhile, the department only has two cars available for use.

Council member Gary Gardner, who oversees the police department, brought up the need for a decision Thursday. He expressed a preference for replacing the engine in the car, but was then informed that it also has water damage from leaky door seals.

Town marshal Todd Miller said he did not think repairing the car was a good idea.

“I cannot see myself, as a taxpayer, to put $8,000 to $10,000 into a vehicle that is 8 years old, has 150,000 miles on it,” Miller said.

Instead, he suggested taking $10,000 to $12,000 out of the local option income tax (LOIT) fund to put a down payment on a vehicle and to use surplus police department funds to pay off a three-year loan over the next few years. (LOIT funds are earmarked for police and fire department purchases.) Most years, Miller told council, he has between $10,000 and $15,000 left over at the end of the year.

“The last five years I’ve used some on equipment, but we’re pretty much equipped now,” Miller said. “I don’t see any other way we’re going to fund a new police car.”

Council seemed open to the plan, with Erik Hammers and Gardner agreeing to look into new options for a police vehicle next week. The matter was tabled until the next meeting.  

Also discussed Thursday was the matter of allowing residents to access their water meter pits.

Currently, only town employees are allowed to enter the pits, with unauthorized access resulting in a $150 fine. In the event of a leak, residents are directed to contact the town, or Jay County dispatch if after hours; an after-hours call to turn off water results in a $75 charge.

Council member Randy May first proposed allowing residents access to the pits last fall. He brought up the topic again last month, and it was tabled to allow other council members more time to think about the issue.

On Thursday, Gardner made a motion to allow residents access to the pits in the event of an emergency, which would be water leaking inside of the house. After that, he said, they would still have to contact the town to inspect the meter for any damage and turn the water back on.

“I think that people ought to be allowed to turn their own water off in that case,” Gardner said.

Council president Terri Taylor again spoke against the idea, pointing out that the town’s insurance agency said Redkey could be liable if someone is injured while in a meter pit.

Deputy clerk Mary Eley noted that the town’s ordinance requires residents to have a water shut-off valve installed, which would eliminate the need for entering the meter pit if there was a water leak. However, this requirement has not been enforced.

Ultimately, Gardner’s motion died for lack of a second. 

In other business, council members:

•Recognized the hard work of everyone involved in the town’s 4th of July celebration, including the fire department, police department, other town employees and volunteers.

•Heard that Brooks Construction will begin repaving Main Street, High Street between George and Butler streets, and Butler Street between High Street and Bell Street in late September. The project received 75% funding from Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings program. 

•Approved a compliance form for Fisher Packing on a 2016 tax abatement on a $225,000 investment, which was intended to bring its total employees up to 24. The company now employs 44 people, paying about $1.1 million a year in wages.

•Heard that Taylor plans to have a chalk art event for area children on Aug. 1 on the basketball court at Redkey Morgan Park.

•Decided to hire a cleaner for the park cabin. Once someone is hired, council will work out the rules for renting the cabin during the coronavirus pandemic.

•Approved fire contracts for 2021, which were raised by 3%. Knox Township’s contract is $1,688.26, Richland Township’s is $5,716, Jefferson Township will be $3,826.67 and Greene Township’s is $264.78

•After reviewing a letter from the Indiana Department of Natural Resource offering the town flood insurance, decided that it would be too expensive and unnecessary.

•Approved a leak adjustment of $248.10 for a resident with an underground leak. Also tabled a request for an adjustment for a Redkey resident who had a leak under her house. That type of leak is no longer eligible for an adjustment under the current town ordinances, but council said it would take a look at her request after her bill comes out next month.

•Paid claims of $217,762.36.