NORTH MANCHESTER - Preliminary engineering reports for North Manchester’s water and wastewater utilities were approved by the Town Council following public hearings Wednesday night.
The reports, presented by Jeff Hersha of Jones and Henry Engineers, detailed suggested improvements to the utilities including an oxidation basin for the wastewater plant, the most cost-competitive solution to the current flow problems.
Overall, Hersha said the town's water plant is "in relatively good condition" and the timeline for completion of improvements stands at 2028. The reports will be sent to the Indiana financial authority for review as the town seeks state revolving loan funds.
In unfinished business, the Council approved 2023 salaries for town employees and opioid settlement funds on second and third reading.
In new business, the north-south alley between North Buffalo and North Maple streets next to the Country Kitchen Restaurant is now a one-way with traffic flowing from Second to Main Street.
Town manager Adam Penrod provided updates on the Community Crossings grant and upcoming bridge projects. The town received $445,000 in Community Crossings funding.
In early 2025, both the Market Street bridge and the bridge east of town on Ind. 114 will be replaced. The Market Street bridge is a county project; the Ind. 114 bridge demolition and rebuild comes from the state.
The Council will meet for an end-of-year meeting Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the next regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 4.
