Town could raise sewage billing charge

Because its fee hasn’t increased in 10 years, Cambridge City might charge more to bill Western Wayne Regional Sewage District customers each month.

Deputy Clerk Glendora Pitcock sends about 900 bills per month, Clerk-Treasurer Sherry Ervin told town council at its May 8 meeting. WWRSD pays the town $2.29 per bill ($2,063 monthly).

Postcards each cost 20 cents, before postage. In 2013, postage was 13 cents — it’s now 44.

Town employees, whose salaries also have increased, spend two full days monthly reading meters. Pitcock spends two and a half hours printing and processing bills.

To conduct billing, WWRSD expenses would include $4,150 for software licensing, about $15,000 in meter reading equipment and $150 for each replacement meter.

Ervin will compile all billing expenses for discussion at council’s June 12 meeting.

Blight

Town residents can dispose of bulky items with their trash on June 5. Call town hall about restrictions. 

Public Works Superintendent Ken Risch is gathering bids before June’s meeting to demolish an unsafe home at 140 S. Fourth. Because of the family’s financial hardship, the town aims to recoup costs through a lien.

And, the council’s discussion about strengthening blight ordinances continued. Goals include a more specific definition of blight and imposing daily fines, up to a total of $2,500. 

Councilors Jim McLane and Michael Amick urged Risch’s team not to wait for neighbors to file written complaints, especially about tall grass, before sending notices.

Council discussed multiple complaints about 502 E. Main St., which didn’t respond to an offer of volunteer help during Main Street’s May 6 cleanup day, and will be fined $100.

Risch also will send a weed notice for 335 S. Third St. before it’s mowed at owner expense. Because a cat’s head has been seen sticking out of the home, a further investigation is planned. 

A new complaint about 308 W. Parkway also will be investigated.

In other business

• Council discussed a potential ordinance amendment allowing a trial of limited beer/wine sales in a roped-off area of Creitz Park during Main Street’s July and August concerts. The vendor would need to secure all required permits. Roberts asked Main Street to hire an extra security officer. Most councilors showed support, with document approval likely in June. Councilor Jeff Mardis was not in favor, saying some residents would question why alcohol was allowed at those concerts and not other events.
• Fireworks will be July 1, followed by the fire department’s July 2 car show.
• Approvals: Hiring Jason Abbott as a temporary police officer as needed; the library’s request for an Aug. 6 jazz concert at Creitz Park; and the lone bid from an adjoining neighbor on an L-shaped property on Boundary Street near the water tower worth $3,233. Council can accept a lower bid from a neighbor and took the $1,000 plus surveying costs.
• McLane asked police, fire, town, school and tourism representatives to discuss preparations for solar eclipse viewing crowds in April 2024.
• Firefighters received a $4,000 matching grant from Indiana Department of Natural Resources for equipment.