Cloverdale leaders mull need for dump truck

CLOVERDALE — Following up on an initially involved discussion had last month, Cloverdale leaders are still weighing a need for a new dump truck.

At its regular meeting held on Tuesday, the Cloverdale Town Council held off on the matter of either repairing the town’s current one or purchasing a new one. The overarching concern is being able to cover it financially.

Per a request from the council last month, Town Manager Jason Hartman brought three quotes from different dealers.

Council President Brandon Tancak sought to set the tone for the discussion at the outset, exhorting the council to make “the best financial decision in the best interest of the town.”

He pointed out that the cost for a snowplow mounting kit was not set, even if it was roughly estimated at $2,000. He went further about a list of needed future projects, with the implication that a new purchase would hamper those.

“I think it would be wise to repair the dump truck,” Tancak opined, noting the cost of doing so at nearly $12,000. “With inflation, say it costs us $100,000 in five years. Simple math, we budget 20 grand a year, instead of stroking a check.”

Tancak said that he estimated said cost as to replacing a blown head gasket, $2,500 per for replacing heads and “deleting” the EGR cooler. The cost, though, would not be guaranteed.

Councilman Greg Jay proposed looking into either a purchase or buy-out option, as the town has similarly done with police vehicles.

“We would not have the immediate $65,000-$70,000 output,” Jay said. “We can do it over that four-to-five-year period. Rather than budget, we make the payment.”

Echoing a sentiment made last month, Jay provided the current truck as being of no value without the repair. It was estimated by Hartman that comparable functional trucks sell in the market for $15,000-$17,000.

As to purchasing a new vehicle, Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners said $30,000 is available in new supplemental LIT money, while almost all of the town’s water depreciation fund is spoken for. With leasing one, it meant a greater commitment.

“If you lease, you’re going to be paying more over the long run for the truck,” Maners said. “We’re losing the interest off the amount of money we have in the bank.

“It also hurts our flexibility,” she added. “If we have payments, it just hurts us going into the future. If we’re just saving toward something, we still have the flexibility if something else came up.”

In not providing opinions otherwise, Hartman said that he was “acceptable” with the repair. Meanwhile, as far as the lowest quote goes, he said the lead time is 16 weeks from ordering it.

With agreement from Councilman Larry Fidler, Jay expressed wanting to work with “real numbers.” Maners agreed to get options for the two lowest quotes before the council’s next meeting.

In other business:

• The council approved renewing an existing memorandum of understanding with Cloverdale Schools to provide a school resource officer.

The renewal covers the 2024-25 school year. The Cloverdale School Board approved the same document at its regular meeting on Monday.

• Hartman and HWC Engineering’s Eric Smith overviewed continuing work with road and water projects.

Hartman first reported a few needs being addressed on Beagle Club Road, including asphalt, the grading of dirt up to the retaining wall, an irrigation system and the addition of a storm drain. He said funding was still left over to do so.

Meanwhile, the town accepted a bid from All American Express Solutions, Indianapolis, toward the town’s stormwater improvements. After the Office of Community and Rural Affairs releases funds, work is expected to begin by August.

Smith also related that easements are still being awaited regarding a water main extension across Interstate 70 and U.S. 231 North.

Speaking to that, Hartman added that Martin Marietta has been the only real hold-up. This was put down to needing communication from the company’s corporate base, as the relevant documents have been sent three times.

“It (the easement) goes in just a very small area of their property right along I-70,” Hartman said. “It really does not affect them in any way.”

• Hartman announced that the town received a $60,000 grant from the Indiana Finance Authority toward verification of the town’s lead and copper piping.

This is following up on recent amendments to the federal Lead and Copper Rule. Municipalities are being required by the Environmental Protection Agency to survey and inventory the material of service lines.

“We’re having conversations with the contractor right now, to see what we can get done,” Hartman said. “That’s a nice chunk of what I think it’s gonna take to get it done.”

As Hartman assured that the work will begin soon (which will include the town backfilling digs), inventories will be due to the state by Oct. 16.

• Hartman briefed on the town looking to annex multiple tracts of land that are surrounded by the municipal limits, but which are listed outside of them.

Hartman related that a large tract near the interstate was in agreement. Meanwhile, three parcels near Whitaker Funeral Home, one at the Cloverdale Church of Christ and one including South Putnam’s bus facility are “confident.”

After getting another track on board, Hartman said a cost-of-service study will have to be done for utilities.

• As it met last Friday, Hartman spoke to the Cloverdale Park Board selecting Gehring Concrete to construct a new basketball court at the park, with EDGE Materials actually providing the concrete.

Hartman noted that quotes secured will come under $31,000 budgeted by the board, with $20,000 recently awarded for the project by the Putnam County Community Foundation.

• Maners announced the town undergoing a federal audit that began on Thursday.

Noting that it “wasn’t a surprise,” Maners said the audit is triggered when municipalities have spent over a dollar threshold with funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.

“I hope it’s short and sweet,” Maners said as to the $900-per-hour rate.

With Town Attorney Richard Shagley present and Cloverdale Police Sgt. Wade Warren standing in for Town Marshal Adam Hull, councilmen Brice Howell and Scott Stierwalt were absent.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is set for Tuesday, July 9 at 7 p.m. at the Cloverdale Town Hall.