Resident's water woes brought to the attention of South Whitley Town Council
From the Tribune-News
The weather may be hot and dry, but the South Whitley Town Council’s attention was on water and where it goes during the July 26 meeting.
The council heard from David Harvey, Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering, about progress on the second phase of the sewer utility project. This phase includes upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant among other improvements to bring the town into compliance with Indiana law limiting wastewater overflow into the Eel River. The price tag for the project is $3.5 millions.
Harvey said that all construction permits required have been submitted to the proper authorities. As soon as the permit review process is complete, the town will be able to advertise for bids for the work. Harvey’s estimate of the timeline is for bidding to begin in mid-August with a mid-September deadline for receiving bids.
Harvey also reported that he had visited the Mike Renschler property to evaluate water problems. One requirement with the sewer project is that all downspouts and sump pumps be disconnected from the sewer system to reduce the amount of water headed to the plant for treatment, thereby reducing overflow.
In June, Renschler attended the council meeting to discuss his situation: he has three sump pumps going in his basement just to keep water out. Renschler was concerned about what would happen if he disconnected the pumps. Harvey said that he found evidence of a tile leading to the river and that it should be investigated. Just turning off the pumps and letting the water run where it will is not an option, he said.
“In the long-term this is likely a town problem,” Harvey said. “The water will run to the lowest spot and start ponding. The house may have been built over an artesian well.”
It was agreed that Utilities Manager Dennis Eberhart would work with Renscler to disconnect one pump and see where the water goes. With this information, decisions can be made about how to ultimately get the water to the river.
A woman attended the meeting to complain about loitering in town. She refused to give her name or any specifics about where this loitering occurs. Although unaccompanied, she claimed to know others who share her concerns. She was advised to consult with town marshal Dave Wilkinson.
Clerk-Treasurer Mitch Winger said the State Board of Accounts would conduct an audit of the town's 2010 budget on August 8.
Wilkinson discussed two bids that he has for security cameras at the town’s two parks. He plans to get representatives from the two companies to come to a council meeting and present their systems before the council makes a decision.
Town council members are Joan Eberhart, Tonya Warner and John Dunn. The council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the town hall.