The cost of keeping a reliable water supply for Crothersville residents now has an estimated price tag and it is less costly than the town’s previous proposal.
Jonathan Brown, engineer with FPBH, told the council when they met Feb. 7, that constructing a new well along with increasing the size of water mains in town would save the utility about a million dollars.
Originally the town planned to increase the size of the Stucker Fork main from north of Austin to Crothersville to a 12” line, install a new water tower at the industrial park and increase town water mains from 4” to new 6” lines. The engineer’s estimate for that was placed at a little over $10.6 million.
“We believe we have found a plan to improve water capacity and pressure and save the town money,” Brown told the council.
The new plan calls for a new well to be constructed, an existing well to be renovated and new vertical water filters installed at the water treatment plant, along with a new industrial park high tower, and increasing the size of the utility’s water mains. The new plan has an engineer’s estimate of a little over $9.6 million.
“This will give us room for growth,” said utilities director Mason Boicourt. “ It keeps us with an ample supply of ground water, improved pressure and capacity. There is a very large aquifer below Crothersville. We are not at risk of tapping it out.”
Crothersville water utility would remain connected to Stucker Fork Water Utility as well as Jackson County water Utility line for emergency purposes, Brown said.
Tara Hagan of Administrative Resources association was on hand at the meeting and was asked to begin the process of finding federal and state grants to fund the project.
Acquiring new police vehicles was discussed by the council.
Crothersville Chief of Police Matt Browning told the council that several of the department’s vehicles have well over 100,000 miles and need repairs costing several thousand. He recommended the council look at replacing the police SUVs with new Chevrolet Tahoe’s at a cost of $42,000 each.
He recommended purchasing the vehicles without police lights, siren and equipment and have the police equipment installed locally rather than at the car dealership.
“That will save us some money,” said Browning.
However, ordering and taking delivery of the vehicles could be another problem.
“Vehicles with police packages are not readily available,” said Assistant Chief Jonathan Tabor. “We’re told if we order now to expect delivery in July of 2024.”
Browning also suggested the town look at hybrid vehicles in an effort to keep fuel costs lower.
The council agreed to explore 4-year lease options and to begin the process of obtaining vehicle specifications.
The council also agreed to provide each police officer with a check for $1,000 clothing allowance each year.
In other matters, the council instructed town attorney Matt Lorenzo to begin the legal process to have two derelict homes removed following the direction of the Unsafe Building
Board. Dilapidated houses at 105 Marshall Drive and 201 E. Main have been targeted for removal.
•The council appointed Ardell Mitchell to the Crothersville Redevelopment Commission to replace Lenvil ‘Butch’ Robinson who resigned due to health reasons.
•The council agreed to close Preston Street from Oak to Main and Howard Street from Preston to Jackson June 7-10 to the annual Red, White & Blue Festival.
•The council approved a $500 contribution to the county’s YoJack 5-K Run