The Town of Crothersville will be seeking $1.8 million in now unobligated READI funding to help pay for a high tower in the industrial park, the council approved at their meeting on Feb. 6.
The READI money had been earmarked for a county initiated sewer project for the Uniontown area but late last year the county decided to not pursue the Uniontown project because of its tax implications.
The town had earlier approved seeking funding for a number of water utility improvements including another high tower installed at the industrial park, another well to bolster water supply, and increasing the size of water mains throughout town.
“A high tower at the industrial park will increase storage capacity for the entire town and provide equalization of water pressure to existing industrial park customers,” said town engineer Dan Wright of FPBH. “It will have the additional benefit of helping the town attract new industry to the park.”
Wright said that the town could split up the project beginning with the industrial park high tower and a new well. In addition to READI funding the town can also seek a grant from the USDA Rural Development, state revolving loan fund and/or bonding on the open market.
Wright suggested that the town seek the $8.58 million in American Rescue Plan funding the county had earmarked by the now stopped Uniontown sewer project.
“It must be spent before the end of the year or the county will lose the funding,” Wright advised.
The town council unanimously approved seeking the county ARP money.
In other matters, the council agreed to sell the former police station at 404 Moore Street. But it was not a unanimous vote.
Jamy Greathouse opposed the move claiming that he has been in contact with Baptist Health Louisville to bring a medical office to Crothersville.
“They would prefer leasing a building initially rather than purchasing,” said Greathouse.
In January the council approved getting appraisals on the property. One appraisal was $97,000; a second was $93,000.
“By state law, we would only be able to sell for a minimum of $95,000 (the average of the two appraisals),” clerk-treasurer Danieta Foster said.
The council voted 3-1 to list the property with Breeden Realtors with council president Terry Richey abstaining.
In other business, the council approved no longer sending out past due utility bill notices that, according to Foster, will result in a $2,500-$3,000 annual savings in printing and postage.
Eliminating the extra past due notices will take effect March 1.
The council approved:
•Giving permission to Utility Director Mason Boicourt to apply for a $15,000 grant to complete a lead and galvanized pipe survey for the water utility.
•Spending $1,000 from an ACIN donation to paint a mural on the east exterior wall of the
town hall. Local artist and businessman Kyle McIntosh will lead the project.
•Spending $32,000 from town ARP funds to add to an insurance settlement to replace a wrecked 2021 Police Truck for local police.
• Appointing Bobby Mosier to the Unsafe Building Council, David Lee to the Redevelopment Commission, and Matthew Williams to the Parks Board.