LAPEL — There’s a need for $4.6 million in repairs to the Lapel water system, according to an assessment by the recently hired firm Commonwealth Engineers Inc.
“The findings were extensive, beyond what we were told (by another firm) we needed in the past,” said Lapel Town Council President Chad Blake, speaking at a recent town meeting.
The project will be part of a town application for a state grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA); the maximum available grant amount is $700,000.
The project includes repairs to wells, improvements to an elevated water tank and replacement of asbestos water lines.
As recently as a year ago, the sum for then-identified repairs totaled less than $1 million.
Blake said there were alternative funding sources, in addition to the grant, that could help with the growing project.
He said the State Revolving Fund (SRF), a low-interest loan program in Indiana that is used for community improvements for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, would be a viable option. The SRF would have an 80% forgiveness of the $3.9 million, which would be the remaining amount if the town receives the maximum OCRA grant.
Kleinpeter deal renewed
The town renewed its contract with Kleinpeter Consulting Group LLC, a firm that has worked with the board on its applications for OCRA grants.
The agreement states Kleinpeter will receive payment only if the town receives the grant. Lapel has applied for OCRA grants three times during the past two years and has been unable to secure funding from it.
Kleinpeter receives 8% of the amount of the total grant if the town is successful in obtaining the state assistance.
Town approves trash rates
Following a public hearing where no comments were voiced, for or against, the council approved a $2 monthly increase for the cost of trash service.
The ordinance was passed unanimously by the board.
Blake reiterated from previous council discussions that the town is operating its trash and recycling service at a loss, by charging residents only the cost from the service provider and no added fee.
“The town has not been compensated for time, effort, energy that goes into maintaining our service for the labor and the billing,” he said.
Blake said the built-in $2 increase on residents’ next bill will raise the monthly cost to $15.27.
Claim questioned
Blake brought up a concern on the council’s approval of claims about a charge of $975 from engineering firm RQAW. He questioned the invoice for a field meeting about sidewalk and drain problems that they were supposed to have engineered before the project started.
The town approved all claims except the disputed bill from RQAW.
Late-night noise
A resident who lives on Birmingham Boulevard addressed the town council with concerns about builders in her neighborhood working after hours.
The town council president said work after 8 p.m. violates the town’s noise ordinance and suggested calling the non-emergency number for Lapel Police Department.
“They’ll get a warning once, then they’ll get fined,” Blake said. “If they get fined multiple times then we’ll issue a stop-work order.”
The next Lapel Town Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at town hall. Lapel town meetings are also available via GoToMeeting.com. The Town of Lapel Facebook page provides links to the meetings.