Pictured, from left, are Claypool Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner and Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — Claypool Town Council approved a resolution for the utilization of funds to cover the costs of the final design process for the town’s sewer project.

Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers Inc., attended the council’s Aug. 20 meeting. He said they are at a point with both the State Revolving Fund Loan Program and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs where a final design needs to be completed for the sewer project. Harrison told council they could seek a bond anticipation note.

“Typically there’s a charge for that bond anticipation note,” said Harrison. “In this case, that would be $35,000 through the Indiana Bond Bank and we’re estimating between $5,000 to $10,000 for additional documents. That would be a direct cost to the community between $40,000 to $45,000.”

Harrison said he spoke with Council President Benny Stage Jr. and Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner about using monies from a $200,000 grant the town received from the K21 Health Foundation, and funds from the town’s sale of its water utility to Indiana American Water.

The total cost of the final design process is $325,000. Harrison said the town would be saving between $40,000 to $45,000 by using funds from K21 and the water utility sale versus a BAN.

Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle prepared a resolution stating the council would utilize funds from both the K21 grant and water utility sale to cover costs associated with upgrades to Claypool’s sewer system.

Harrison said Stage, who was unable to attend the August council meeting, had no reservations about the resolution. The council approved the resolution.

In other business, council approved an ordinance regarding pets running at large. All dogs and cats must be leashed or tethered at all times when away from the owners’ property. There is a $25 fine for the first offense and a $50 fine for any subsequent violations.

A trash bin ordinance’s approval was continued to the council’s September meeting so Grossnickle can place language into the ordinance regarding fines for violators.

Harrison also provided an update on the OCRA application process. OCRA will hold a public hearing during the council’s September meeting, with the second round of applications opening on Sept. 19. OCRA will do a site visit in November, with a second public hearing taking place on Nov. 19. The application is due Dec. 20, with award announcement in February 2025.

Harrison said Commonwealth reviewed the town’s prior OCRA application and discovered Claypool did not receive any letters from residents about the need for Claypool’s sewer system to be upgraded.

“You are not going to get OCRA grant funding if you don’t have residential letters,” said Harrison. “Any comments from residents about sewer backup, we would want that information accordingly. Any insurance claims that may have happened in the last few years associated with stormwater or sewer backup, we want to touch base on that.”

Harrison said he would assist residents who have experienced these issues with preparing letters to submit for the application process.

Council also tabled further discussion on the town’s retention pond project to look at additional options for converting the pond from a wet to dry area. Council Member Gene Warner said Claypool’s tax increment finance board didn’t want to spend a large amount of money on the project. Harrison suggested council contact a local contractor to see if there would be a lower cost for the project.

Claypool Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17.