Jasper Public Works: Call boxes used maliciously; Labyrinth work awarded; Mill wall work postponed
The emergency call boxes along the Jasper Riverwalk have recently been used to make false calls to the police department.
According to Chief Mike Bennett, the six emergency call boxes along the Riverwalk are now operational. The boxes were the result of a capstone project by the 2013 Dubois County Leadership Academy. The team raised money to install a call box on the Riverwalk and provided the city with plans for the rest.
The city has scheduled a dedication for the call boxes for Monday, August 10.
In regards to the false calls, Bennett explained the calls go to the police department and the boxes should only be used for emergency situations. “If we catch folks, there will be consequences to pay,” Bennett said.
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The board also heard from City Engineer Chad Hurm on the repair to the city mill wall that collapsed two years ago. He asked to postpone the bid opening until August due to the recent high amounts of rain. The bidding companies are concerned with the high water levels at the Patoka Reservoir and how the project could be impacted as they begin to release water to bring the lake down to winter pool.
Hurm said he is talking with the Army Corps of Engineers to determine their plans with the water release.
The work has been postponed as Hurm worked to get state and federal permits approved. The plan calls for a repair of the wall and reinforcement of the bank downstream from the mill. Bids for the project should be opened at the next public works meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 8 a.m. at City Hall, 610 Main St.
Jasper Lumber was approved to complete work on a proposed Labyrinth near the Jasper Riverwalk. The work will cost $32,761 and the board also approved an alternate bid to add ornamental trees for $9,600. Hurm was also given the go ahead to not undertake adding the ornamental trees depending on funding.
The board also agreed to pay Paverart LLC of New Jersey $14,672.50, or half of the total cost, upfront for paving materials for the labyrinth. The rest will be paid when the materials are delivered.
Funds for the labyrinth are being provided through three sources: $27,000 was donated by the Jasper Desk Foundation; $8,000 in the form of a grant from the Dubois County Community Foundation; and $35,000 in a grant from the Place-Based Investment Fund through Indiana Office of Community and Rural Development and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.
The board also heard that, weather permitting, on Friday the Upper Patoka Conservancy District will be removing two trees in the Patoka River near 15th Street. A tree near the Dave Buehler Plaza and one just upstream from it will be removed at a later date.
