Monterey sets special meeting to discuss flooding, wastewater disposal
A special meeting has been set by the Monterey Town Council after two matters were voiced during a regular meeting on March 11.
Town councilwoman Chris Fox and council president Jim Fleury decided to schedule the meeting for March 25 at 7 p.m. after an issue of flooding was brought to their attention and there was a legal question regarding the disposal of portable toilet waste.
During the meeting on March 11, a few town residents voiced their concerns about flooding on Maple Street. Andy Zehner said the storm sewer drain appears to be clogged and the flooding is in his garage. Another resident, Josh Stacy, who lives in the same area, has a bit of moisture in his basement.
Zehner, who is part of Zehner Excavating that is contracted with the town, said the storm sewer drain would need to be opened and jetted with water. He suggested a camera be sent through the drain to see if there are roots.
“With spring coming we are probably going to be getting a lot of rain anyway and with the severity of what you find, we will need to decide how we are going to fix it,” Fleury said.
Along with the flooding issues, council members discussed how many portable toilets they want to rent for the parks; whether those units should be handicap accessible; and if the town would be responsible for the treatment of the waste from the units.
The town has received two quotes regarding the portable toilets. One quote is local but the company is waiting for their Indiana Department of Environmental Management permit.
As discussion ensued, there was a question if the town should rent handicap portable toilets that are a little more expensive.
Fleury said his concern is if the town is responsible for the toilet waste and how it is processed. The question will be forwarded to the town’s legal counsel.
The discussion was tabled until the special meeting.
Emily Bailey was absent from the meeting.
In other business:
• Fox and Fleury tabled the discussion of restoring the gazebo at Kleckner Park. The town would like to receive three quotes in regards to the project. Doug Denton said the project may be considered a public works project requiring several permits to be obtained or a commercial project. It was suggested that the council contact the Pulaski County Building Inspector to find out. Clerk-treasure Linda McCune suggested the council establish a plan so everyone is on the same page before receiving quotes.
• Minutes from the Feb. 11 meeting were approved.
• Two quotes were reviewed for the maintenance of the heating and air conditioning systems. Fox and Fleury reviewed the quotes and after some discussion decided to table the issue due to wanting more information. They want to ensure that both quotes include servicing three heating systems and Fleury wants to know more about the companies’ weekend and after-hour rates.
• Fleury voiced a few questions regarding trees that are near streetlights and causing traffic issues on the roads. He questioned if the town is responsible for trimming trees that are obstructing streetlights or if the property owner is. He also asked who is responsible when limbs are hanging in the roadway causing the road to be one lane. The questions will be forwarded to the town legal counsel.
• Zehner requested for his company to have an extra key to the buildings, in case he is not in the area to work on the sewer system. A motion was approved to allow Zehner to have another key.
• Fleury said people are parking in the handicap parking uptown but they do not appear to have a handicap tag in the vehicle or a handicap license plate. He said when there is snow on the roads then the blue handicap paint is covered. He would like to see signs and know how much it costs.
• McCune presented a Cummins Crosspoint contract to the council. McCune said the annual contract is for the inspection of the generator that served the sewer treatment plant and the town hall. The contract was approved.
• An annual contract of $1,400 with Keystone for the billing software was approved. McCune said the cost has increased about 3 percent.