Medora hoping to tap into leftover funds

MEDORA — More improvements to this community’s sewer collection system could be on tap in the future — thanks in part to federal stimulus efforts.

Ryan Brauen with Wessler & Associates Consulting Engineers in Indianapolis told council members during their meeting last week at town hall that a $609,000 project to improve the system is nearing completion and about $100,000 will be left over when all the bills are paid.

“We’re trying to see if we can add to this project,” Brauen said. If the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs won’t allow that to happen, the town will lose the remaining funds.

Brauen said grant consultant Shannon McLeod is checking with the state about the potential use of the remaining funds for other sanitary sewer system improvements.

The town used a $500,000 federal Community Focus Fund grant, coupled with local funds of $109,000, for the original project to eliminate surface water from running into about 2,100 feet of sanitary sewer collection lines and leaky manholes along with the rehabilitation of a lift station. Most of the work was in an area on the southeast and east sides of the community of about 550 people.

The town also is in the process of preparing a grant request for federal storm water disaster relief related to flooding problems and also may be eligible for federal stimulus money for waste water treatment improvements, Bruaen said.

In a related matter, council members signed off on a payment of $33,209.63 to Mitchell & Stark Construction, Medora, for the project. Bruaen said the town is holding on to retainage until he compiles a punch list and that work is complete. Some site restoration work will not be completed until the spring.

In another matter, town attorney Mark Risser  read a proposed ordinance concerning who receives funds from citations written against motorists disregarding stop signs.

Town Marshall Steve Ingle said the money presently goes to the state, but the town could enact and ordinance where those fines could to the town.

Council president Jim Davers said Crothersville has a similar ordinance and other communities are looking at implementing such ordinances.

The proposed fine is $50 for each incident.