Gifts help town replace equipment

As it works through flood recovery, Cambridge City’s council is testing the message on council President Jim McLane’s shirt: “The current was strong but Cambridge City was stronger.”

Council conducted a special meeting Monday, Aug. 24, to accept donations, discuss the town hall’s future and begin replacing equipment. They also shared gratitude for the many volunteers and collaborative spirit they’re seeing in the community.

Temporary office opens

Town leaders announced Aug. 30 that a public office with ramp access has opened on the west side of a former school at 519 Queen St. in Pershing. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.

Obstacles to establishing internet and phone connections delayed that opening. Calls still can’t be answered directly, but messages left for the clerk at 765-478-3522 will be returned.

There’s no drop box for utility payments yet, but checks are accepted in person. Bills can be paid online at cambridgecity.in.gov/water.

Western Wayne Schools provided the Pershing space as well as its board room at LMHS for town meetings at no charge. Equipment donations have come from sources including Hagerstown, New Palestine and Reid Health.

McLane said the previous town hall remains structurally sound, but a total remodel is needed because so much must be torn out. However, those costs aren’t yet known, and the building isn’t covered by flood insurance. The town has insurance on some large equipment, but those funds aren’t yet available for reorders.

Town attorney Bob Bever said it’s possible for the town to increase the 2027 tax levy to make more funds available for those needs, but council would need to decide if it’s an appropriate time to pass along an additional tax for property owners. Council might meet more often in the coming months.

Boil advisory ends

The town’s water boil advisory ended Friday, Aug. 28, after all water testing passed. Wayne County Health Department is a resource for well testing.

Relief fund

Council established an ongoing flood relief fund to accept donations that it can allocate for equipment, repairs, restoration services or similar needs.

Donations of $66,000 from Wayne Bank and the Boyd family; $25,000 from former residents and 1982 Lincoln Middle/High School alumni Joseph and Judy Salkoski Olson; and $17,000 from Wayne County Foundation’s Wayne County Cares Fund were gratefully accepted. McLane said the words “thank you” didn’t seem adequate.

Structural damage review, rebuild

Cambridge City is working with a structural engineer to check homes and businesses for excessive structural damage. Those evaluations should be used as a guideline for making decisions regarding homes and businesses but aren’t an official condemnation or approval of the building’s condition.

Town leaders have prioritized some homes believed to be badly damaged. Those concerned their home might be structurally unsound should call the city building and leave a message. It will be added to the list for review.

To address questions about how newer lot size guidelines might affect rebuilding destroyed homes, council will consider whether to waive that section of the code for flood victims.

In other business

• Council approved an interlocal agreement with Wayne County to accept a disbursement of opioid settlement funds toward replacing police equipment ruined in the flood. It also approved a corresponding resolution to accept an unneeded county 2011 F-250 truck with 141,000 miles.
• Council approved a resolution so previously allocated, but unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds from the first phase of water system improvements can be used to repair the town’s severely damaged water plant. The funds grew from $188,000 to $217,000 while awaiting use, and must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. McLane said the deadline will be met because of expenses currently being incurred.
• More than 500,000 pounds of debris have been weighed through the town’s dumpsters for storm debris in six days, but that service ends Saturday, Sept. 5. It’s another bill for the town to pay. Contact Cambridge City Christian Church to request or provide volunteer help.
• Several community, nonprofit and county leaders met Thursday, Aug. 27, to begin forming a long-range planning committee for the town’s ongoing flood response.
• Council agreed to purchase two John Deere commercial mowers for a total of nearly $25,000 and another nearly new Spartan mower for $6,500 from an individual from the new flood relief fund.
• Council approved alcohol sales by Pilgrimage Wine Co. and Chicago Pizza during a Friday, Sept. 4, benefit concert at Creitz Park Pavilion for flood-impacted businesses, pending permit and insurance requirements.