Ferdinand Town Council: Illegal dumping sets off investigation
It was a dastardly deed — one that hopefully will not go unpunished.
The depth of the disaster would not yet have been revealed, had not communication been a tad better within the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
During the Ferdinand Town Council’s Tuesday night meeting, Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer publicly shared the news that had been privately discussed for some time.
Why the secrecy?
Because the illegal action is under investigation by no less than the FBI, along with various IDEM departments, the EPA, IDNR District 7, the local prosecutor and police department, along with a microbiologist and two labs.
Schaefer explained that in August and September of 2015, on four separate occasions, an outside waste hauler illegally dumped waste at Ferdinand’s treatment plant.
He stressed that on each occasion, the truck came off I-64 and was not local.
What they (it is believed two men were involved) dumped has been detrimental to the treatment plant and includes brines, petroleum waste, polymers (the kinds used to treat animal waste and petroleum waste). Worse yet, a filamentous bacteria was dumped into the system and was deemed the worst kind the microbiologist has seen in 30 years.
This bacteria has impregnated the plant and Schaefer said they may never be rid of it. It’s “eating” pipes and manholes and has led to other problems.
Schaefer and his crew need to dispose of the waste stored in the tanks, but it has been too wet to haul, and no other method for removal other than land application is safe. The wastewater department was written up for this violation, and Schaefer will respond with a plan by the deadline (May 5).
That was the bad news in a lengthy April meeting. There was, however, much good news as well.
Dog Park/New Park
Park Board President Mike Steffe said Girl Scout Cadette Troop 19 made a very compelling case for a fenced dog park in 18th Street Park. A questionnaire for dog owners who might be interested in using it can be found on the town’s website. Owners would purchase an annual pass for access to the park, accessible via a key pad. The scouts were proposing private donors to pay for the fence.
But the more exciting news might be for a people park or, more accurately, a recreation area and trail at the Old Lake.
The Park Board wants to pursue a $200,000 matching grant for a one-mile hiking trail and is working with Strand Engineering on the design and map. Restrooms and a shelter house will be added in future.
The board will not ask for town funds beyond the Park budget but will seek donors and in-kind work as their match. However, the reimbursable grant requires up-front money and Steffe asked the council to handle initial payments.
They agreed.
They also completed an extensive list of agenda items during the two and a half hour session.
Additional steps were taken to sell a parcel of land on East 23rd Street to Best Home Furnishings where they plan to build a new facility for Knu LLC.
According to Best CFO Steve Wahl, Best bought Lazy Boy’s contract manufacturing division in 1995, and they want to build a Leed Certified (green) building for that operation to free up needed space in the existing plant.
Best has covered all required expenses thus far and will pay the average of two appraisals ($2,250) for the property which must be rezoned.
All were in agreement.
“I’m thrilled,” said Council President Ken Sicard.
A public hearing was set for 8 p.m. during the May 10 meeting to finalize the purchase and Ordinance 2016-07 was adopted to rezone the property.
Kelly Schwoeppe and Scott Denhart were on hand from MasterBrand to discuss two tax abatement compliance reports. For TA 2014-1C, the report was better than good. MB had estimated adding 135 jobs. Instead they added 299. Expected salaries of $4.26 million are actually $9.84 million. Equipment of $11 million is one million higher than estimated.
The company was found to be in substantial compliance.
They were not fully compliant for the second abatement, TA 1914-2C, but expect to be so within a year. Rather than cancel the abatement, the council agreed to defer the benefits for one year.
Council members adopted various ordinances, including a state mandated Materiality Ordinance — 2016-08 setting financial thresholds ($100 cash and $250 non-cash), as well as 2016-10, making the Town Manager the Title VI coordinator, required by law to receive any federal funding.
They also adopted Ord. 2016-06 making special provisions for communication towers to conform with state and federal law.
In addition they approved the 2016 GAB Clean Sweep, presented by Beth McManaway, setting the date for Saturday, May 21. Ten organizations can earn $300 apiece by picking up trash on designated routes that morning. Contact McManaway at German American for details.
The council also approved the route for Ferdinand Elementary’s 5K set for Friday, May 6 starting at 6 p.m.
They executed an agreement with the county for a GIS Data Exchange and approved attendance for different departments at various work-related seminars and special sessions.
Finally, they opened bids on a 2000 Crown Vic, selling it to high bidder Jason Dean of Huntingburg for $1,000 and a 1987 GMC Sierra pick-up, selling it to high bidder Jeff Ebert for $5,150.
