Loan, grant pursued toward $5.8M sewer project

Centerville is seeking Indiana funding for wastewater improvements and reducing blight, town council learned at its July 14 meeting.

Building improvements

Building Commissioner Gerald Millsaps said enough repairs have been made at 607 E. South St. to justify its removal from the blighted building list after landing there in June 2025.

Millsaps said another property, the former gas station at 609 W. Main St., will likely come off the list later in the month, provided cleanup progress continues.

In the past year, three other properties rated in fair or poor condition on West Main and East Walnut have been repaired; 210 E. Walnut St. was demolished.

Millsaps said 18 permits were issued in June, including one new housing start. Of the 11 code violations reported, seven were cleared with no enforcement, one was enforced and three are pending.

Flood ordinance

Council introduced a flood damage prevention ordinance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency made changes that took Centerville’s ordinance out of compliance. That needs to be remedied so residents and businesses can obtain flood insurance for every place in the flood plain or floodway. Areas of concern are mainly around Crown Creek.

Wayne County’s Geographic Information System maps at beacon.schneidercorp.com/?site=WayneCountyIN show the town’s Indiana Department of Natural Resources flood-risk area.

A first reading will be conducted at council’s work session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at town hall, 220 E. Main St. The public is invited.

Sewer improvements

Noting that time is of the essence, council approved hiring Indianapolis-based Lochmueller Group to start project design for $5.873 million wastewater improvements.

They include lining the town’s oldest sewer pipes and laterals on the southeast side, standardizing lift station controls and adding an ultraviolet treatment basin.

The project has qualified for favorable loans through Indiana’s State Revolving Fund; town officials are quickly pursuing Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs grants. Council’s president, Dan Wandersee, said the town learned years ago that the work needed to begin, and he’s not sure how long OCRA grants will remain available. He said updates could offer long-term savings.

All votes were 4-0; David Cate was absent.

First responders

Fire/Rescue Chief Andy Aughe thanked those who attended the celebration honoring Nia Pettus, Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association’s 2026 junior firefighter. Aughe said she has a bright future and Wandersee said she’s a great asset.

Firefighters had 54 calls in June: 19 fire-related, 30 medical and five others.

Police Chief Josh Millsaps noted 232 calls in June. Five criminal investigations were conducted that month: two for theft and one each for driving while suspended prior, forgery and fraud. One arrest was made on a charge of driving while suspended prior.

Two information reports were recorded: one each for a DCS investigation and a civil dispute.

Four accidents were investigated; 51 vehicle stops were conducted with eight state tickets and 43 warnings issued.

Paving

Town Manager Kevin Slick said road paving is complete for the year. Centerville received Indiana’s Community Crossings funding match toward improving Locust Lane from Elm Drive to Mulberry Boulevard, as well as North Centerville Road from the northern town limits to INDOT’s right of way.