Residents of Crothersville will soon be able to be notified of weather emergencies, police emergencies as well as town utility outages after the town council approved a new local communications system last Tuesday.
The council opted to sign a contract with Reach Alert at a price of $1,836 per year over Civics+ for $3,246 per year. Reach also offered a first year service discount so the town’s year one expense will be just $936.
For residents who choose to participate, a phone call, text or email can alert them to weather emergencies, police directives to shelter in place, and of town utility outages.
“ If utility workers are going to have to shut off water along a stretch of Preston Street to make a repair, we will be able to alert those residents of the affected area that there will be a water outage,” said clerk-treasurer Danieta Foster.
“And if there is a weather emergency like a severe thunder storm or tornado we can alert the entire community,” said council president Terry Richey.
Currently about 200 residents are signed up under a notification plan.
Once the Reach Alert system is up and running residents will be able to sign-up for the no-cost service at town hall.
Dan Wright of FPBH, the town’s engineering firm, updated the council of the state Community Crossing grant for street paving.
He told the council that INDOT has opted to have just one funding round per year rather than the previous twice a year funding.
The town is awaiting word on when the applications can be sent to the state. Crothersville is looking to replace a concrete bridge on South Preston Street and pave Preston from the new bridge to Moore Street. The engineer’s estimate for the work is $360,000.
Wright told the council that there is good news with the changes. “The state is reducing our local match from 25% to 20% for small communities. Additionally, with a fall application and a spring start work schedule, the bids will be more competitive as contactors seek to book work after the winter,” said Wright.
In other business, the council approved vacating an alley between 205 and 207 N Kovener St. There are no utilities there and the platted but unpaved alley has a single car garage built partially in the alley. Once the alley is vacated the land will be split between Ricci & Alisa Sweazy and Barrientos Properties LLC, the two adjoining property owners.
The council preliminarily agreed to a 4% salary increase for town workers. Employees were given a 6% wage hike this year. The council opted to wait to learn what the town’s health insurances costs are going to be before voting on the salary increase. The health insurance costs should be available sometime in August, according to the clerk-treasurer.