Choice One to assist with paving

REDKEY — More paving is on the horizon for next year.

Redkey Town Council approved a $6,000 service agreement Thursday with Choice One Engineering for bidding and grant administration services for paving planned in 2024.

Redkey was awarded $163,686.75 on Nov. 7 from the Community Crossings grant program through Indiana Department of Transportation. Redkey, Dunkirk and Portland all received funding from the program for paving projects, with Redkey receiving the largest amount. (The funding requires a 25% local match, putting Redkey’s commitment at about $55,000.)

The following streets are on the schedule to be resurfaced next year: Union Street between Main to Lake streets and between High to Mitchell streets, Mitchell Street between Union Street to Meridian Avenue, Oak Street between Main to Railroad streets, Delaware Avenue between Meridian to Washington streets and Washington Street from Delaware Street to Bell Avenue.

Council briefly discussed the December deadline imposed by Indiana Department of Environmental Management to come up with a plan for eliminating its combined sewer overflow (CSO) that originates in a rural part of the county just north of town.

The line lets out into the creek near Main and George streets. 

Council member Gary Gardner noted himself and town employee Randy Young have touched base with county officials. Gardner expressed concerns with what the town legally can and can’t do on county property, such as water testing. Young told the town council it needs to decide how it will handle the problem.

Young also reminded council members about the town’s other requirement to report water line inventories to IDEM by October 2024. He said he plans to start gathering the information, and his first step will be to send questionnaires to residents.

Also Tuesday, council noted Chad Pusey — the board agreed to hire him as town marshal in October — turned down the town’s offer. Council members agreed to resume advertising for the position, which has been vacant since September. (Police officer Zach Moser has been filling in the department’s duties since former marshal Kyle Denney resigned.)

In other business, council members Erik Hammers, Floyd Life, Chance Retter and Gardner, absent John Pierce:

•OK’d purchasing a new motor for the wastewater department’s grit classifier from FACO for $2,086.50. The cost doesn’t include shipping from its location in Pennsylvania, which will be tacked onto the bill later.

•Heard Santa Claus will be visiting the town’s gazebo at 6 p.m. Friday.

•Tabled a decision on the animal control service agreement with Jay County Humane Society, noting they would like to discuss it with town attorney Wes Schemenaur before taking action. (Redkey allotted for the contract in its 2024 budget, but the town council hasn’t decided yet whether to move forward with the agreement.)

•Made $958.90 in water bill adjustments, with clerk-treasurer Mary Eley pointing out the new meter system being installed should allow the town to catch leaks faster.

•Paid $113,991.38 in claims.