At Cambridge City council’s July 14 meeting, members heard updates about work needed on a swinging bridge, progress on reducing blight and plans to discuss the town’s 2026 budget.

Budget

Council will discuss potential 2026 budget priorities and trims at 5 p.m. Monday, July 28, in town hall, 127 N. Foote St. It’s open to the public.

Council member Gary Cole talked with some town workers, who estimated they’ve saved the town $20,000 this year so far on in-house equipment repairs. Council appreciates their hard work, but noted time repairing the aging equipment reduces time for town maintenance.

Equipment/facilities

Council reviewed other equipment and facilities issues:

  • Council approved payments of $240,161.08 to Milestone for completed Community Crossings paving and $101,279.80 to Pridemark Construction for performance venue work from an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant.
  • Maintenance is needed on Creitz Park’s swinging bridge. Council asked if a nonskid surface could be added because morning dew causes the boards to get slick. Quotes will be obtained for 2026 budgeting.
  • Council approved Cox Lawn Care’s bid of $5,800 to mow the river bank twice, now and again before Canal Days in early September. The previous crew cost $4,300 for one service.
  • Town employees are pouring a concrete wall at the intersection of Walnut and Shawnee where a school bus hit a storm sewer while turning. Additional protections will include a steel plate, concrete and asphalt.
  • A manufacturer representative will visit the water plant since a couple of its variable frequency drives have burned up. VFDs help the pump start slowly to reduce wear and tear. A mason will visit the town hall and waterworks buildings to provide an estimate for repairs, and a second proposal is awaited for park security cameras.

Blight

Joe Webb, public works superintendent, noted the new roof, porch removal and mowing that have improved 314 W. Main St.

Councilor Gary Cole said another property needs to be declared unsafe since the owner has been given sufficient time to make repairs. Webb is to send the owner a letter declaring it unsafe. Council could confirm, amend or reject that recommendation at its Aug. 11 meeting, and then pursue county blight elimination funds for its teardown.

A few overgrown yards have been mowed. Owners who’ve received the town’s second letter about their properties are taking more initiative to make improvements, Webb said. Some owners are limited liability corporations in Texas, Ohio and other Indiana counties, making communication more challenging.

In other business

  • Council approved SugarCreek’s $1,000 donation to the fire department and shared compliments about the July 5 fireworks show organized by the chamber of commerce, fire department and American Legion.
  • Council gave Ethan Moistner permission for a disc golf tournament on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Creitz Park. It benefits Kiwanis.

Livestreaming

Town meetings are now available live and via replay at youtube.com/@TownofCambridgeCity.

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A version of this article appeared in the July 23 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.