To the editor:
I want to get caught up on a couple of important topics and projects that we as a city are dealing with.
The City Council has tabled the proposed sewer rate increase until we receive a final ruling from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
As most may know, Citizens Energy Group has petitioned the IURC for an increase in fees to treat the wastewater that our sewage works customers generate. We will probably know more either in late May or June.
The dismantling of the old St. Francis Hospital is going quite well. The bulk of the work is inside but probably by June we will see the buildings come down from the outside. I have been happy with the work; the contractors on is on schedule and have stuck to their plan.
We have a lot of infrastructure work taking place in our beautiful city as paving and sanitary sewer lining is beginning to take place. Soon we will award quotes for the first phase of storm water improvements for 2017.
These projects are much needed, and within the next two weeks the Indiana Department of Transportation will hold a pre-construction meeting for the Churchman Avenue sidewalk project.
Our council has approved the planning and design phase for the construction of a police station and a fire station. This will go a long way in maintaining our autonomy over the next 20 years and will continue to make the safety of our citizens our highest priority.
I want to close with a reminder that another free paper shredding and appliance drop-off (no TVs) event will take place from noon-9 a.m. Saturday behind City Hall, 806 Main St.
Dennis B. Buckley
Mayor of Beech Grove