Project underway

Upgrades at Portland’s wastewater treatment plant are underway.

Portland Board of Works heard updates and discussed aspects of the wastewater treatment plant project that includes the construction of a wet weather pump station and an equalization basin.

Jeff Hersha of Fort Wayne’s Jones and Henry Engineers told the board that James S. Jackson Company of Bluffton has started work on the $13.73 million wet weather pump station at the facility. He noted that Jutte Excavating has held off on starting the $4.57 million equalization basin for logistical reasons.

He added that he is hopeful both projects will go well.

“I am very happy with the contractors that you have selected,” said Hersha. “I’ve worked with both of them in the past … So I’m very optimistic. There are problems in every project, but … in the past they have been good to work with toward resolution.”

Hersha added that the project will involve the space currently occupied by the former Jay County Humane Society building. (The humane society still houses some dogs there.) He asked for and received permission from the board of works to work with the humane society and others on getting the remaining animals moved from the facility.

He noted options such as working with contractors and businesses to get services and equipment donated to the humane society — it is a non-profit organization — to help facilitate the move. He also said his firm might consider sponsoring an “adopt a dog” day.

Once the animals are removed, the building will be demolished as part of the wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

Board of works members Jerry Leonhard, Steve McIntosh and Mayor Jeff Westlake also approved the first pay request of $21,500 from James S. Jackson for the wet weather pump station project.

In other business related to the wastewater department, the board also approved the purchase of two pumps — one for the wastewater treatment plant’s main lift for $50,425.94 from Xylem Water Solutions of Indianapolis and $6,254 for a pump for the Boundary Pike lift station from American Pump Repair of New Palestine.

Wastewater superintendent Brad Dues noted that the new pump for the main lift will be able to be used in the new facility when it is completed.

The board also approved the purchase of two used vehicles — a 2019 and a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe from Chicago Motors — for the police department at a total cost of $47,790. Police Chief Dustin Mock explained that two vehicles were destroyed — one in a collision during a pursuit and the other when a tree fell on it. The insurance settlement on the vehicles came to $55,892, which will be used to purchase and equip the new vehicles.