Ferdinand Town Council: Opinions wanted
No doubt about it — Monster Recycling has been embraced by Ferdinand residents.
The Jasper-based company gathers items that might otherwise end up in a dump on a weekly basis from all Ferdinand households that fill and set out the blue plastic recycling bins on Mondays. The recyclables do not have to be sorted but must be clean.
Around 800 households avail themselves of this free service.
However, “free” will likely change at the end of this year.
Monster Recycling’s owners would like to charge a monthly service fee of $3 per month per household for a one year contract or $2 per month if the Town enters into a two year contract.
Using the two year figure, that roughly translates to $20,000 per year and trash disposal is already a losing proposition for the Town financially.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, Town attorney Bill Shaneyfelt said there are a couple of ways the council could go. They could eat the cost, but with property tax caps and other issues $20,000 would be a pretty big hit. They could also pass the fee onto residents — at $2 per household per month it wouldn’t be much of a hit as trash bags cost $1.50 apiece and a filled bin could easily equate to two bags. Also, there could be an opt in period (sort of like healthcare), for those who are not yet using the service.
While the contract won’t take effect until January, Shaneyfelt would like to get the details hammered out well in advance. But without knowing the wishes of the community council members are hesitant to proceed.
Council President Ken Sicard decided to open it up to residents and asks those with an opinion on the matter to contact him, Town Manager Chris James, or Council members Ron Weyer or Debbie Johnson.
Looking for a few good acres
As had been discussed in previous meetings, problems with excess phosphorous in the Town’s wastewater system must be addressed this year per the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Even with great progress many decisions must still be made. The most pressing is where to locate massive drying beds as part of the solution engineers have come up with.
The Town owns property at three sites (near the New Lake, east of the Old Lake and three miles east of Ferdinand on CR 475) but feel a fourth option is worth exploring as it is much closer to the sewer department.
To do so, however, council members had to adopt a resolution that would allow for the required two appraisals and any due diligence necessary to consider this option.
The approximately 24.5 acre parcel is located on the east side of Industrial Park Road and owned by Dennis Woebkenberg.
Weyer reiterated — “We are just looking at this right?” According to Shaneyfelt, the resolution only allows exploration of this option.
Chris James said timing is of the essence in making this decision, simultaneous to securing financing and other measures on a very tight time line. To meet all the deadlines, the council will meet in special session on Monday, March 30, at 5 p.m. to make a decision.
The council also:
• Awarded the West Clarifier project to low bidder KWK Enterprises, whose bid was $14,000 over the $50,000 estimate.
• Approved a $1,000 stipend for the Dubois County Leadership Academy which was created by the Town. Jasper City Council gave approval for the same amount and the City of Huntingburg is also expected to contribute $1,000.
• Heard Councilwoman Johnson is working with Dubois County Soil and Water District Executive Director Judi Brown to plan an information session for residents suffering from erosion and ditch problems. Johnson checked with IDNR and learned residents are responsible to maintain their ditches and she has been researching products that might alleviate problems.
• In a related matter, the council adopted Ordinance 2015-04 amending the Ferdinand Municipal Code to require annual inspections of retention ponds and repair/upkeep by owners.
• Heard Reserve Police Officer Matt Hasenour resigned due to lack of time and that Officer Caleb Lindeman will graduate from the Police Academy on Friday.
• Gave profuse thanks to all departments who helped with road clean-up during recent snowstorms, and learned Property and Street Superintendent Tom Lueken, who is at Purdue Road School this week, already ordered 40 tons of treated and 40 tons of untreated sand for next year.
• Learned the Fire Department was called out nine times in February, twice for fires and seven First Responder runs. Also that March 15-21 has been designated Severe Weather Week and two state-wide tornado drills will be held March 19, the first from 10-10:30 in the morning and the second from 7:30-8 p.m.
• Heard from Sicard that Ferdinand Day at the Museum was “a fantastic day all around.” He thanked the organizers, noted the excellent community participation and kidded, “They hope for 500[visitors] but got 1,500.”
• Discussed how the Street and Utility departments should work together to coordinate the water main replacement and street resurfacing, and were told by Utility Superintendent Henry Haake the two department heads are doing just that.
• Reported Ferdinand Spring Clean-up dates will be Tuesday, April 7 (west of Main Street) and Wednesday, April 8 (east of Main).
• Approved seeking quotes for Town Hall renovations that were drafted by Universal Design Associates.
• Heard expired drug collection day will be Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m.-noon at Fire Station No. 1 on 4th Street.
• Adopted Ordinance 2015-03, an additional appropriation moving $60,000 from the Parks’ 2014 budget to 2015 and $23,000 from the Electric Dept. to Capital Outlay/General Fund as a loan to pay for the new police cars. Also heard both cars, a 2014 and 2015 Dodge Charger, should be detailed and road-worthy by the end of the month.
• Urged residents to attend the Legislative Breakfast this Saturday, March 14, from 8:30-10 a.m. in the CTIM building at VUJC. Sicard said several issues affecting municipalities are at stake, including the ongoing battle with Rural Electric operatives and some annexation issues. Those unable to attend should contact their legislators.
