LAPEL — Lapel conducted a public hearing to discuss its application for a $500,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).
The grant, adding a speed bump in town, approving funds to clean water tanks and accepting a fire department grant were some of the topics discussed during a recent town council meeting.
During the public hearing, officials talked about the 75 percent/25 percent split required of the matching grant, with the town paying the smaller portion.
Engineers from the Fishers-based firm RQAW talked about the three projects town officials would like to complete with the funds, should the grant be appoved. They’d like to rehabilitate the Ford Street well house, which is in bad shape, replace an asbestos water main, and rehab and repair the water tower.
All documentation for the grant must be submitted by Nov. 30.
In other town business, the Lapel Stony Creek Fire Territory has received a grant for $130,000, which town leaders expect to use to buy new air packs and to replace the system they currently use; $17,000 of the grant also will go toward the purchase of a new ambulance.
In street-related business, a resident with young children requested town officials install a speed bump on Third Street between John and Woodward streets.
After discussing the issue, the council approved a temporary speed bump that can be removed to accommodate plowing in the winter. The temporary speed bump will be used in the spring, summer and fall and removed for winter.
The council also:
• Approved spending $3,600 to clean the water tower tank and the ground-level water tank but put the brakes on an idea to purchase a new town vehicle.
Tony Pearson, council vice president, requested the town approve purchasing a new Chevrolet Silverado from Stanley Chevrolet at a cost of $24,000 for the town’s utility department.
Pearson said he feels the vehicle is needed, stating utility employees are currently using their own vehicles.
Council member Tom Marvel said he thought it would be best to table the discussion until after the the council receives funds from the South Madison Community Foundation, which are expected soon.
The council agreed with Marvel and voted 3-1 to table the vehicle decision.
• Voted to stay with Anthem health insurance, which increased the cost of the town’s plan by $900 per month.
• Discussed the next round of Community Crossing grants from the state. The council is pursuing a grant for road paving. The town seeks $500,000, which would require $125,000 in matching funds from the town.
Council members hope to spend about $261,000 to fix roads, including County Road 700 South between State Road 13 and County Road 1000 West and a stretch of County Road 500 South close to State Road 13.
