The Town of Camden will officially receive a Community Focus Fund grant in the amount of $525,000 at an award ceremony to be held at the State Capital on June 30 at 1 p.m.

Camden Town Council president Pete Wagoner made the announcement at last Thursday night's meeting. It was Camden's third attempt to win a grant to improve the town's wastewater treatment plant.

The wastewater treatment facility is not compliant with Indiana Department of Environmental Management standards and enhancements must be made to the plant, said Wagoner.

Total cost of the project will be $750,000. The town will secure bonds for its share of the cost, $225,000.

The town will contract to have the wastewater and water rate schedules evaluated. A modest increase in both may be necessary later in the year, said Wagoner.

However he pointed out that without the grant, the town would be facing a substantial increase in its wastewater rate.

"We're trying to do everything we can to keep costs down," he said.

SR 75 extension

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is conducting an engineering study of the extension of SR 75 to meet the Hoosier Heartland Highway.

Wagoner said the extension is being actively considered and has the support of the Hoosier Heartland Highway Coalition.

Housing project

The housing project assisting 13 homeowners is expected to start soon, said Wagoner, and should be completed by fall.

The Indiana Housing grant for this project helps homeowners with property values, he said. At the completion of this project there will be 30 total houses that have had improvements over the past three years. If there is enough interest, the town may apply for a grant again next year.

Other business

"We are getting more and more animal complaints and nowhere to refer them," said Wagoner.

A meeting of interested municipalities and townships in the county will be held soon to discuss animal control, said Council member Andy Kelly, the town's appointee to attend.

A 10-year lease renewal with option to buy was extended to Dr. Tom Anderson for his clinic. The new contract expiration date is Sept. 15, 2018.

Limited funds were cited by the council as the reason for postponing the sidewalk 50/50 program until 2009.

Mileage reimbursement was increased from 40 cents to be equal to or less than the IRS allowance of 48.5¢ per mile, to be determined by the council.

Council member Richard Fite will see that the old "Welcome to Camden" signs at the edge of town are replaced.

City Ordinance 2008-1 was passed setting a vehicle inspection fee of $5 per vehicle.

The township scrap metal drive collected 15 tons raising $3,000 to purchase playground equipment for the park.

The road by the park will be closed from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. July 6 for an antique tractor pull.

Local 4-Hers were recognized for planting flowers around town.

The annual Community Club fish fry will be June 28.

The council will discuss raising the $50 fee charged to rent the Community Building at the July 8 meeting.