Camden applies for grant to improve wastewater system
Comet staff report

Two meetings and public hearings preceded the March 13 meeting of the Camden Town Council.

Brad Cline with Municipal Civil Corp. explained needed improvements to the wastewater system in order to meet state mandates during the public hearing for the Community Focus Fund/Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Wastewater Project.

Amy Miller of Cornerstone Grants Management said that the town had applied for the Community Focus Fund Grant in the amount of $500,000. The town's match in the form of a revolving loan would be $250,000. Miller said that "it's a very competitive grant process" and the announcement of recipients will be in mid- May. She suggested that letters of support from town residents would help the town's chances of receiving a grant.

"This grant is critical to us," said Pete Wagoner, council president. "There will be tougher regulations we're going to have to meet in a year or two and we need these improvements."

Star Development representative Mark McCarty reported that work was completed on 14 homes in 11 months to close out the Indiana Housing Grant. Final inspections were held in January and everything passed.

During the public hearing for the CDBG Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation, McCarty said that there will be an audit with the Indiana Housing Authority later this year.

He also reported that interest remains high with 30 community members attending two meetings held earlier that day on a second grant application.

Wagoner reported on the recent Delphi Community School Board meeting where realignment of the elementary schools was discussed. "No one associated with the school (Camden Elementary) is happy with the plan," said Wagoner. "The only plan they are pushing is for Camden to be a kindergarten and first grade facility.

Wagoner said the council and community would prefer for the school to remain K-5th grade. He suggested that people contact the superintendent and board members with concerns.

A review of the progress being made on nuisance ordinance violations was given by Pat Casserly, clerk-treasurer. Twenty-nine letters were sent and of those, only three follow-up letters were needed. The council agreed to give the three follow-up owners one additional week to make arrangements to correct the problem or action will be taken.

Wagoner reported six Duke Energy officials from Plainfield and Lafayette met with Casserly, Jerry Snavely and him, along with two representatives from the Town of Flora, at the Camden Library Reading Room to discuss dissatisfaction with the company during recent power outages.

Duke Energy data proved that there has been an increase in the number and length of outages, said Wagoner. He said that steps are being taken to correct the problem and Duke Energy will check distributions and feeds to Camden to see if they are at acceptable standards. Duke Energy also agreed that improvements were needed in customer service and contact phone numbers for officials only were provided.

The town's fire truck has a valve that is allowing water to get into the pump and the cost to repair the valve will be $355. The truck needs to be taken to RPI in Tipton for certification and repairs can be made at that time. Certification will cost $275. The Council approved having the valve repaired at certification and compensating the driver $50.