Jasper Utilities: Names new Water & Gas manager

Tim Doersam will replace Ernie Hinkle as the new Water & Gas Manager in Jasper.

Doersam was approved by the Jasper Utility Service Board Monday evening at Mayor Terry Seitz’ recommendation.

Doersam is assistant manager until Hinkle officially retires May 31.

“I really am looking forward to the opportunity that was given to me by the mayor, and I will do a good job for the City of Jasper,” Doersam said.

Doersam has been with the water department since 1994, when he started as a water plant operator. In 2007, he became water filtration foreman in charge of the overall water production.

He helped lead the department through the drought in 2012 and boil order in 2014.

He holds a degree in heating and air conditioning from ITT Technical Institute and graduated from Jasper High School in 1981.

Doersam and his wife LaVon reside in Jasper. The couple have three sons, Austin, Jared and Travis, and one daughter, Kailyn.

Hinkle was applauded for his years of service to the city. “Ernie has served the City of Jasper for 30 years, eight months, one day or 11,158 days,” Utility Service Board Chair Rick Stradtner said. “We thank you for all the roles you have assumed for the board throughout that 30-year tender and certainly wish you a very long, happy and healthy retirement.”

The board also took the following actions:

-Took three bids under advisement for two new mid-size trucks for Gas & Water. Bob Luegers Buick GMC bid $58,318 for two GMC Canyons that included a trade-in value of $7,200 for two vehicles, a Chevrolet Equinox and Ford F-150. Uebelhor and Sons bid $50,326 for two Chevrolet Colorado that included a trade-in value of $8,000 for the same two vehicles. Ruxer Ford bid $52,466.80 for two Ford F-150 trucks that included a trade-in of value of $7,500 for the two vehicles.

-Took two bids for a mini-excavator under advisement for the Gas & Water Department. Hudson Inc. bid $23,416 for a new John Deere 50G that included a trade-in allowance of $37,000 for a 2006 John Deere. Hopf Equipment bid $22,788 for a Bobcat E45 that included a trade-in allowance of $32,000 for the John Deere the department currently uses.

-Heard from Electric Distribution Manager Jerry Schitter that the line taken down by the tree earlier this month that knocked out power for over an hour and a half belonged to Vectren. This slowed the city’s ability to restore power.

-Approved the low quote for granular activated carbon for $133,868. This was the low quote for the needed carbon for four of the water plants filters, but only $115,000 had been budgeted for the capital expense line item. Hinkle was asked to investigate the cost increase. He found that the carbon now has an added 48 percent tariff and the supplier has also increased prices due to operating costs.

-Approved Hinkle beginning work on adding two new safety valves to the high-pressure gas main to the city. Hinkle said the main safety valve is positioned above ground near a line of trees, and the department is concerned about its exposure to a falling tree. If something happened, a lot of gas would be lost. The two new valves will allow the city to turn the gas off in this instance as well as give them another shut-off for maintenance issues. They will be located underground. The specialized parts will cost $15,000 and special welding services will cost $6,225 for a total of $21,725.44. It will come from the department’s maintenance fund.

-Approved disposing of 50 metal meter lids. According to Hinkle, the department has a glut of the lids and St. Henry Water Utility will pay $10 each. Hinkle said scrapping them would net the department about a dollar for each.

-Approved seeking a new water filtration foreman from within the department to replace Tim Doersom.

-Approved seeking a new distribution mechanic due to a resignation. Will advertise the position internally and externally.

-Approved seeking a new custodian maintenance permanent part time position in the water department due to a resignation. The position will be advertised within the department and publicly.

-Approved an annual maintenance agreement with Evansville-based Cummins Crosspoint for three generators at the filtration plant for $3,301.49.

-Wastewater Manager Ed Hollinden reported a letter was being sent out inviting residents in the Rolling Hills subdivision to a meeting about extending sanitary sewers to those residents that are not connected to the city’s system.

-Approved the purchase of a new copier/scanner/fax from Hoosier Business Machines for $4,734. This price met the General Services Administration pricing therefore, competitive bids were not sought.

-Approved the purchase of new computers from Dell. Seven computers will be bought for the gas and water department and three for the electric department for a total of $7,700. Eleven computers and monitors will be bought for the business office for a total of $10,643.

-Approved splitting the cost of a JetVac truck purchased by the Jasper Street Department since it can be used by the utility services on their projects. The truck can excavate holes quickly and with less likelihood of damage to sensitive lines like fiber optic. The street department is asking for the utilities to pitch in 24 percent on the total cost of the truck of $377,000. The amount will be split between the four utilities in the following amounts: Electric for $26,473.52; Water for $24,647.76; Wastewater for $24,647.76; and Gas for $15,518.96.