Water restoration cost reaches $245K

Flood response costs are adding up for Cambridge City’s utilities.

At a special Thursday, Sept. 3 meeting, council agreed to pay $245,675 for emergency water service restoration. Those repairs and equipment are just the beginning of expected expenses involved in fixing the town’s water system for the longer term.

Of that amount, work already performed to restore service and end the water boil advisory cost $83,452, including generator mobilization, troubleshooting, two new well motors, well cleaning and water testing.

Ongoing generator and equipment rental, which could be needed for at least six more weeks, is $16,392.

Council also agreed to expenses including restoring electrical service to wellhouses, and specialized technology and safety devices such as a chlorine gas detector and a gas sensor.

Waste disposal

Town officials announced Friday that residents’ access to rented dumpsters to dispose of flood debris would end the next day because of concerns about how much longer the town can absorb those fees. 

Volunteers have given many hours staffing the dumping area for safety reasons and to ensure waste is sorted for potential federal reimbursements and environmental protection.

According to town guidelines, property owners are ultimately responsible for hauling waste away and paying disposal costs, so the town isn’t required to offer that service.

Mike Amick, council vice president, estimated about 1.4 million pounds of waste in 100 dumpsters have gone through the town’s collection, not counting waste privately collected or delivered to Hagerstown’s transfer station.

Residents can follow the town’s Facebook page at facebook.com/CambridgeCityIN for updates, and call 765-478-3522 and leave a message for the clerk to register for Reach Alert notifications.

In other business

Because the town’s water meter recording equipment was damaged, water bills will be estimated for the past three months. Council waived late penalties and paused shutoffs through September.

Council waived town building permit fees for flood repairs for a year; however, homeowners need to continue filing permits through the town to make repairs over $500, including flooring or drywall that don’t change the building’s footprint. Indiana Department of Natural Resources will continue charging its own permit fees.

Town officials are still learning more about the process to evaluate structures for flood damage. They’re working with Indiana DNR to better understand permitting requirements for rebuilding or remodeling in flood plains and floodways.

Public Works Superintendent Joe Webb has started inspecting flood-damaged buildings along with Jeff Mathews of Union County. Webb said inspections and data entry take at least 30 minutes per home.

Wayne County and DNR flood risk maps can be found at wwn.to/wcbeacon by looking for drainage and then clicking FEMA Flood Risk Area.

Jim McLane, council president, said the town will pause plans for building a new water tower at Gateway Industrial Park for at least 30 days during cost evaluation.

After vehicle losses, council purchased a 2017 trailer from an individual in place of the water truck. The $6,000 comes from the water fund.