Water meter access still under debate

Redkey Town Council has revived a debate about who is able to access water meters owned by the town.

On Tuesday, council members decided to table a proposal to allow homeowners access to their water meter pits in case of emergency, such as a leak in their houses. Currently, only town employees are allowed to access the meters.

They also approved a contract with Fleis & VandenBrink to survey the state of the town’s streets.

Last fall, council member Randy May proposed allowing licensed plumbers to access the meter pits. At the time, other council members turned down the proposal, citing a preference for knowing who had access to the town’s utilities.

May’s more recent suggestion stemmed from an incident this week in which a homeowner was unable to get ahold of a town employee to turn off the water at their house.

“If you have something that breaks at 2 o’clock in the morning, who knows how long it’s going to take somebody to get there. And if you’re ruining your hardwood floors or whatever, you need to get it shut off,” May said. “I’m going to put a motion on the floor … that the homeowner may enter his or her water meter pit at any given time in case of an emergency.”

Council president Terri Taylor said she was not in favor of the change to the ordinance, saying it left the town open to increased costs from people damaging their meters.

“I am firmly against anybody getting in their meter,” Taylor said. “Anybody can get in their water pit for what they call an emergency.”

Council decided to table the matter until its July meeting to allow members more time to think over the proposal. 

Redkey residents who are unable to contact a city employee in the event of a utility issue can call Jay County dispatch at (765) 369-2345. Dispatch will page a list of employees qualified to shut off the water.  

Council also approved a $2,640 contract with Fleis & VandenBrink to update the pavement surface evaluation ratings for the town’s streets, which was last completed in 2018.

A Fleis & VandenBrink employee will drive every mile of the town, noting and rating the condition of each block. Council will work with the company to come up with a 5-year plan for updating the roads.

The biennial ratings are required for municipalities seeking Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grants. The town has taken advantage of these 80-20 grants over the past few years, including this year: Main Street between Railroad and Sycamore streets and between Union and Meridian streets is scheduled to be repaved, along with High Street between George and Butler streets and Butler Street between High and Bell streets. 

Clerk-treasurer Debbie James told council the low bid for the work came from Brooks Construction, who bid $146,650 on the estimated $160,000 project. That means the town will be paying a matching portion of $29,330, rather than the budgeted $40,000.

In other business, council members John Pierce, Gary Gardner, Taylor and May, absent Erik Hammers:

•Heard that the long-term control plan to mitigate untreated sewer overflow into Redkey Run was accepted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The town plans to spend the next several years eliminating combined sewer overflows and identifying additional sewer problems with smoke testing.

•Were informed that the Fourth of July fireworks will proceed as scheduled at 10 p.m. on July 4.  

“It’s going to be the biggest show we’ve ever had,” said fire chief Randy Young, citing additional donations from Jay County Commissioners and Scout Clean Energy.

•Further discussed its options for either fixing or replacing Redkey Police Department’s third vehicle. The town received quotes to replace the engine in its 2013 Ford Interceptor, but decided to table making a decision in order to further review quotes for purchasing a new car.

“I would not put that type of money in an 8-year-old vehicle that’s got 150,000 miles,” said police chief Todd Miller.

•Heard more about a plan to add playground equipment at Redkey Morgan Park. Taylor told council she is seeking grants to pay for the $19,000 equipment and is planning to have a community build, which will further reduce costs.

•Were informed that the town will resume charging late fees and shutting off utilities for nonpayment next month.

•Learned that there will be a public hearing on utility rate increases and a budget meeting at 6 p.m. on June 25.

•Heard that people wishing to speak at future council meetings will be required to contact Redkey City Hall by the Friday before the monthly meeting in order to be placed on the agenda.

•Paid claims of $94,884.16.