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Russellville still moving on community center repairs
RUSSELLVILLE — Long-awaited repairs to the Russellville Community Center are still in the wings as legalities are being squared away.
The greater discussion of the Russellville Town Council’s regular meeting on Wednesday, it was announced that the scope of the project has been determined. Work is expected to be under way soon.
The timetable, from sending out bid requests to starting the work, is a short but achievable window into next month.
Bids are to be opened at the council’s next regular meeting on June 26, while the award is expected to be issued by July 15. Complete construction is then set for Oct. 1.
Going back on a discussion last month, Council President Cary McGaughey related that a specific form had to be filled out. Meanwhile, bids acquired before the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) funding have been re-requested.
A committee to select the winning bid will be comprised of Greencastle-Putnam County Economic Development Director Kristin Clary, McGaughey and Councilman Tony Riggen, as well as Darrell Wiatt and another from the community center’s board.
To a query from Wiatt at the meeting, the town was given $4,400 in insurance money, which is related to storm damage. However, this still has to be processed.
In other business:
• Clerk-Treasurer Martha Mandleco brought up that as of July 1, 2025, the council will be expected to implement livestreaming of its meetings, as well as archive them for three months.
The move is according to legislation passed last year by the General Assembly, in which government units, including school boards, must do so. However, the statute provides that entities may record meetings if they do not have the capability for livestreaming.
“There’s hope the next legislature will exempt small towns, if there’s enough pressure put on the legislators,” Mandleco added.
• The council agreed to solicit quotes for five loads of gravel. The areas stated to be addressed include the entrance to Keystone Cooperative (Co-Alliance), the community center and the alleys.
• It was announced that water flushing will take place on Thursday, June 6. While it was expected earlier, McGaughey advised of issues being addressed with hydrants, thus necessitating the delay.
With Street Supt. John Boller and Town Marshal Matt Biggs absent, Councilwoman Cathy Jones, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Teresa Ciulla and Town Attorney Stu Weliever joined McGaughey, Riggen and Mandleco for the meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Russellville Town Council is set for Wednesday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at the community center.