The Benton Review

Local business tax abatements approved




The Otterbein Town Council convened twice for Thursday meetings (May 4 and the 18th ), each held in the Horwedel Room of Otterbein’s Town Hall/Community Center (111 South Main Street).

Town council president Amy Brown had charge of these governing-body gatherings, besides vice-president Jackey Apache, and other council members Doyle Allison, Linda Brummet, and Rick Hadley – their agendas supplied by Otterbein Clerk-Treasurer Treeva Sarles and Chief Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Betsy Jones. The first session (May 4) featured grant writer Shannon McLeod (of Greensburg, Indiana, heading her Priority Projects Resources/PPR firm) as she conducted a public hearing that shed light on a sanitary sewer and storm water planning project (a grant to be pursued through Indiana’s OCRA/ Office of Community and Rural Affairs)- -other items checked off on this date included water-resources engineer Christopher Limiac, here for Butler, Fairman, and Seufert (BF&S) civil engineer/ Town Engineer David Buck, delivering updates connected to the town’s continuing, water- project improvements; department requests heard from deputy chief clerk-treasurer Jones and a new town ordinance that set compensation for all town officers and employees during the year of 2023, alongside town administrator (resigning, after May 25) Lukas Darling’s report addressing fire-extinguishers’ inspection and new employees (James Crain has left employment with the town of Otterbein), as Tyler Horwedel was hired as a general maintenance operator (starting work on May 8). (For May 18) The major items from Jones (in a concise agenda) were a bid recommendation from town engineer BF&S’ David Buck for the Central Avenue project and approval of 4 local businesses’ tax abatements.

Sewer and Storm Water Grant planning discussed

The workload for Otterbein’s Town Council in the new month of May (and awakened springtime here in town) came on Thur., the 4th (Kent State Day), as council leader/pres. Amy Brown had a functioning quorum of vp Jackey Apache, and council members Linda Brummet and Rick Hadley present.

Here for Otterbein’s clerk-treasurer Treeva Sarles was chief deputy clerk-treasurer Betsy Jones, as her revised agenda covered Shannon McLeod and the Greensburg-based, grant writer’s conducted public hearing on a proposed, storm water and sanitary sewer planning grant via the state’s OCRA organization; aside from this primary dealing, the meeting absorbed the latest water-project insight from BF&S water engineer Chris Limiac (reporting for town engineer David Buck) about Otterbein’s on-going waterproject improvements–at the water plant (while keeping in mind the soonto begin replacement of 1st St.’s water main), Jones’ directing attention on a new town officer-and-employee compensation ordinance for 2023, and town administrator Lukas Darling’s report that looked at fire-extinguishing safety measures most-recent developments with town employees (former town worker James Crain has departed, replaced by Tyler Horwedel), the backhoe–and his announced resignation.

Additionally present was Ron Shoup, current Internal-Projects Supervisor for the town of Otterbein.

The special hearing on both storm water and sanitary wastewater works–conducted by PPR’s McLeod (with sign-in sheets) , commenced at 6 p.m. and had 2 residents here. The Greensburg-located grant writer explained the need for a $60,000.00 planning grant for storm water and sanitary sewer corrections to better serve the Otterbein community. Specific issues raised involve surface water and drainage (while it was genially shared, with photos, that the town’s Wastewater Treatment /WWT facility operator Kenny King had found a rabbit’s nest at the sanitation sewer plant). McLeod advised the town towards submitting an application to OCRA for this grant by May 19, with the decision to emerge from a 6 weeks turnaround. “Grant recipients will be notified around the end of June (2023).”

She further encouraged letters from the townspeople that would reflect support for this project. “Storm-related, generalperson writings: How does it impact you?—or how overflowing storm drainage impacts other people in their yards. What is overlooked is how nobody seems to think of the necessity for sanitary works–until they happen. These are the type of supportive letters sought in this project’s overall backing,” she urged. “Knock on wood!” McLeod realistically suggested (when looking at Otterbein’s chances among other towns). “These grants can be very competitive,” as she pondered the effectiveness of an adjoining survey. “When this study’s funding is submitted, be certain,” she suggested strongly, “to include and evaluate at least 3 alternatives.” Brummet confirmed that council members are also encouraged to submit these type of project-boosting letters (those received were sent on May 12). Hadley traded such reasoning with McLeod, where he stressed “showing local concern and support.” If the grant’s application succeeds in being accepted and awarded, grant writer McLeod will return in July, for the purpose of signing an agreement. Another site calling for more attention upon its drainage is upper Laird St., near the Darby Drive intersection. McLeod inserted that this kind of drainage project is geared towards lower/ modest-income residents. Resolution #2023-0504A : that authorizes the town to prepare such an application and submit it by May 19 (in working with McLeod’s PPR), with a matching 10% in mind, was motioned favorably by Apache, seconded by Hadley, and approved by the town council. Jones assured that she will remain in touch with McLeod. This hearing adjourned, off Hadley’s motion and Apache’s second, at 6:16 p.m. Whereby, the regular meeting started. Brown conducted another, and shorter hearing: on utility disconnections. The present listing was approved by Apache’s move, with a second from Hadley and overall townboard passage.

Claims presented were $188,128.56, receiving the town council’s approval. In place of town engineer Buck, water-resources specialist Limiac of BF&S updated Otterbein’s governing body and officials on meter work, alongside the current status of the water project. Infra-Structures Systems (ISS), the water-project’s contractor (from Orleans, Ind.), had submitted a pay application request #2; the local town board took this action under advisement. Change Order #1, calling for a time extension, was next weighed, with its intention to better coordinate with the present study centering on the water main. After Brown motioned and Apache seconded to approve this measure, the town council was in accord—with an extension permitted until July 19 (2023). Change Order #2, which deals with the water tower’s access hatch, had a color map and photos that outlined what contractor ISS intends to accomplish. The measure floated for consideration was an estimated 37 days that might be required to widen access through this hatch. However, the town council denied this request, in the aftermath of Apache’s motion and Brummet’s second.

It further was stated by BF&S water specialist Limiac that approximated timetables for necessary work on a water tower’s typical maintenance are figured at roughly every 15 years for the outside, and each 5 years to examine and/or repair the tower’s water-tank interior. Limiac’s general engineering update expressed hope that the town of Otterbein’s water project might be completed by July 19 (within a month), but this projected completion target now appears doubtful.

McLeod joined in here, in looking over (with encouraging thoughts)– not only for the water works– but what may well be plotted out for what will eventually emerge (if the planning grant is successful) for both local storm water and sewer improvements. (McLeod reminded all that letters for this hypothetical project’s support, along with the grant application itself, are to be submitted to OCRA – project-support letters by the 12th, and the grant application itself by May 19. Chief deputy clerk-treasurer Jones’ meeting corner unveiled a proposed Ordinance #2023-0504 (that would formally amend the previous, Ord. #2023-0216, and establish the 2023 compensation for all Otterbein town officers and employees; this action was accepted, upon a move by Brummet, a second from Hadley, and the town board’s unified agreement. Town administrator Lukas Darling had charge of this evening’s final arena of conversation, where he presented the administrator’s report, beginning with his coordinated communications with Tippecanoe County’s Area Planning Commission (APC). “The next step,” according to Otterbein’s town administrator Darling, “is obtaining permits for storm water and waste/sanitary water— each permit costs around $3,500.00.” Newly-hired general maintenance laborer Tyler Horwedel starts here on May 8. Darling ‘s last request was for $2,500.00 and permission from the council (both granted) to acquire hydraulic cylinders for the town’s backhoe machinery, in case they’re needed. At the conclusion of his report, Lukas Darling announced that he is resigning his position as town administrator for the town of Otterbein—effective as of his last day here: Thursday, May 25 (2023); his new position is to be village administrator for the community of Roaming Shores, Ohio.

With the Otterbein Town Council set to finalize May’s doings on the 18th, they adjourned at 7 p.m.

Brief session takes in recommendation for Central Ave. Bid

The meeting that closed out May’s town works came in a concise session on Thur., the 18th, at 6 p.m. Back in the Otterbein Town Hall/Community Center’s Horwedel Room. President Amy Brown had a quorum of council members Doyle Allison and Linda Brummett here for a short agenda from chief deputy clerk-treasurer Betsy Jones. A deuce of timely topics addressed were BF&S town engineer David Buck’s recommendation on the best bid for Central Ave.’s development (which came from DC Construction); the other matter, during town administrator Darling’s updating(this being his last meeting—prior to his official resignation taking effect, after May 25) encompassed 4 local business tax abatements heard separately and approved by Otterbein’s governing body. (Town marshal Jason Pritchett additionally attended, but had nothing new to report.) Claims were for $62,206.44, reviewed and approved by the town council. Town engineer Buck (also BF&S civil engineer) was heard from, as he delivered a bid recommendation (dated May 17) from his firm on the 2023-1 Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) program through INDOT (Ind.’s Dept. of Transportation), which is to be applied for the Central Ave.’s long-sought street improvements. After all offered bids were opened and reviewed on the 15th , with complete bids evaluated plus accompanying, summarized bid totals, the best offer was judged to come from (Pendleton, Ind.’s) DC Construction— with a combined total bid (merging both a base bid and alternate bid A1) of $428,716.17. BF&S decided: “DC Construction’s bid was not only the lowest, but the most responsive and responsible one as well.” The civil engineer elaborated that each company’s A1 alternate bid (DC Construction’s was for $43,776.00) is to go towards the completion of cement stabilization for Central Ave.’s road bed, prior to the placement of stone. Brown motioned to accept the DC Construction offer, seconded by Brummet, and agreed upon by Otterbein’s town council. (Buck later speculated that the actual street construction might be started late this year, but will probably be in full swing by the summer of 2024.)

Town administrator Lukas Darling attended what will be his last meeting (before leaving Otterbein for Roaming Shores, Ohio, after May 25), mentioning, “Work on the town’s backhoe is almost done.”

A quartet of Otterbein business tax abatements were addressed, as each one of the 4 weighed companies received a separate motion in its tax abatement’s passage:

Rowe Machines personal property tax abatement- -accepted, after Allison motioned and Brown seconded.

KAC (Kerkhoff and Associates Components) Partners LLC (limited liability company) personal property tax abatement–received passage, in the wake of a motion from Allison and a second by Brown.

Furpo LLC tax abatement— passed, by Brown’s move and Allison’s second. And, the 4th and last: the Rowe Truck Equipment (RTE) tax abatement—approved via an Allison motion and a Brown second.

With nothing more to cover, and the Otterbein Town Council to next meet on June 1, they adjourned for May at 6:15 p.m.

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