Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - The Claypool Town Council heard updates Tuesday on the town's wastewater project and approved bids for mechanical work at the future sewer plant building.
Chris Harrison, business development manager at Commonwealth Engineers Inc., attended the meeting to discuss the wastewater project with council. He said it was a "busy month" for the project.
"We had the (State Revolving Fund) closing on July 29," said Harrison. "(The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs) released the funds for the OCRA grant application on Aug. 4."
Harrison also said a pre-construction conference was held Aug. 12, and that a discussion with Pacemaker Buildings on the sewer plant building took place that same day. He estimated a groundbreaking for the wastewater project would occur in October.
Harrison also suggested the council look into Community Crossings grant funding for town roads, noting most of the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) scores for the roads were "fairly low."
"(Community Crossings) is an 80/20 grant, it used to be 75/25," said Harrison. "It's a great opportunity for you guys to step in with projects that just need a mill and pave. But it also stages you for other opportunities in the community ... replacing your sidewalks in those areas that are going to be paved, plus the reduction of old trees, and the reinstallation of curbing."
In other business, council approved bids for electric, HVAC and plumbing work at the sewer plant building. The town received bids from Riverbridge Electric LLC, North Manchester, for all three items; and a bid from CES for electric, with CES contacting representatives from Core Mechanical Services, Atwood, for the HVAC and plumbing work.
Council approved the lowest bids they received for each item, which are as follows: electric, CES, $20,000; and Riverbridge for both the HVAC and plumbing work at $13,500 and $18,650, respectively. A bid from Custom Fencing, Warsaw, for fencing and a 12-foot gate at the sewer plant was also approved in the amount of $4,200.
Sidewalk Policy
During the meeting, Town Superintendent Danny Warner asked if the town had a sidewalk policy. He said a resident was considering replacing the sidewalk at his home.
Councilman Gene Warner said he recalled council determining the town would not pay for new cement but would haul any debris away and replace it as grass if requested by residents.
Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner and Niki Miller, a former council member in attendance at the meeting, both said the town didn't have an ordinance regarding sidewalks but that the topic had been discussed in previous meetings.
Council President Benny Stage Jr. said he was okay with looking at establishing an ordinance about the removal of sidewalks from properties.
Other Matters
The council also continued discussions on mowing along the railroad, noting someone hired by Norfolk Southern typically mowed there. However, the mowing work in question has yet to be completed.
Council discussed getting in contact with a public relations representative for Norfolk Southern to determine why mowing work hasn't been completed and to ensure the issue doesn't continue into 2026.
The issue was first brought up at the July council meeting. At that time, Town Marshal Trevor Long said a Norfolk Southern representative told him they were in the process of hiring a contractor for mowing.
Council also heard an update on the town's strategic plan committee, as some council members were unable to attend. Pat said the meeting went well and that the committee will meet again in the first week of October. At that meeting, members will narrow down a list of items that they think are most important to pursue.
Council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Claypool Lions Club building.
