Redkey updates water rules

REDKEY — Residents can now make a legally sound request to town council to make bill adjustments for leaks under their homes.

Redkey Town Council met Thursday and signed off on an ordinance that gives it the power to grant leak adjustments for residents in special circumstances.

It also voted to adjust reconnect fees for delinquent payers to $50 and establish a refundable deposit for new tenants to pay to connect to a town water line at $175.

Town attorney Wes Schemenaur told council he crafted the ordinance’s language based on its discussion on leak adjustments last week during a special meeting.

“(Town clerk-treasurer Debbie James) just sent me the minutes and said, ‘Make the changes,’” Schemenaur said.

Leak adjustments have been a common topic this year after council granted one to a resident who approached it complaining of outstanding charges from a leak underneath the house.

Council president Gary Gardner, who was absent from Thursday’s meeting, told council last week that he was told by the Indiana State Board of Accounts that council did not have the power to grant that leak adjustment because it was not outlined in any town ordinance.

Now it is, meaning any Redkey resident can request a leak adjustment for underground or under-home leaks. Per the ordinance, council will only consider the appeal if the following is true:

•A water shut-off valve was installed

•Photographic evidence or a written testimony from a contractor attests that a leak occurred

•A town water or wastewater employee verifies the leak has been fixed

Any adjustment made by council will be based on the average total of their bills from the three months preceding the leak. Each resident will only be granted one adjustment every 12 months, per the ordinance.

Council also added Donnie Knisely, Charles Coons, Gardner, Pierce and May to the list of residents authorized to open meter pits and shut water on or off in an emergency situation.

In other business, council members Dottie Quakenbush, Randy May, Erik Hammers and John Pierce:

•Heard from Quakenbush that Redkey’s Watson Excavating Inc. donated two mats, one indoor and one outdoor, for the park cabin.

•Accepted the resignation of James, whose last day as clerk-treasurer is Dec. 10 after serving in that role for 10 years. Utility clerk Mary Eley was selected Tuesday by Jay County Democrats to fill out the remainder of James’ term, which runs through 2023.

•Heard from Randy Young that Santa Claus will be visiting the town gazebo across from the post office at 6 p.m. Nov. 27. Hammers expressed concern over whether Mr. Claus would be wearing a mask but he was assured by Young that Saint Nick will likely be wearing a face covering.

•Paid $124,759.59 in claims.