Board of Works Approves Contract Renewal, Two Purchases

Noelle Maxwell

The Greensburg Board of Works voted to approve the renewal of a contract for the City of Greensburg website at their August 11 meeting. City Clerk-Treasurer Amy Borns presented the contract, which will be renewed for one year at a cost of $12,551.10. The contract, with Simple View Inc., was due to expire at the end of August. Borns had contacted Simple View and they responded expressing openness to a one-year extension. She stated during the meeting that she’d asked Simple View to “send me that” – the documents that needed to be signed – “in digital form,” and had not received a response since. Borns still expects to hear from Simple View but has not received a response to her follow-up attempts at reaching out, saying “they even asked when the meeting was, like, two weeks ago and I told them the date and everything. I’m just not sure, I do anticipate to hear from them. They had sent it up the chain to even get it approved and came back and told me that” the contract renewal “was doable.”

In new business, Pastor Todd Smith with the Bethel Apostolic Church, 630 West Hendricks Street requested a street closure for their Friends’ Day event August 30. The event will be from 11 AM to 5 PM and is a festival type event surrounding the church.

Wastewater Superintendent Joe Cain requested approval for the purchase of a lift station costing approximately $31,000 for 506 North Davidson Street. This was approved. Cain also presented a quote from True Flow Mechanical to repair VLR bearings. The one needing to be repaired is the first one that has failed, out of 24 total bearings that are all approximately the same age and installed at approximately the same time. The wastewater department is requesting labor for the repair and an additional bearing. Cain explained the additional bearing is necessary “if we’d have problems, because it’s about a three-week wait period to get that, just to have one on standby.” The repair for the bearing is quoted at $10,635, with an additional expense of $3,835 to purchase a spare bearing for a total cost of $14,470. The True Flow Mechanical quote was approved.

Three quotes were received for a replacement truck for the Greensburg Street Department. Street Department Commissioner Mark Klosterkemper had received quotes from Acra Auto, Fleetwood Chevrolet and Russ Hubler Ford. Russ Hubler’s bid of $46,379.75 was approved.

9 tips for Indiana residents facing historic floods

Dylan Peers McCoy - Free Press Indiana

FREE PRESS INDIANA - Storms have pummeled Indiana, causing power outages, historic floods and damage to homes and businesses. In Cambridge City, flood waters submerged buildings and people navigated the streets by boat. Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency on Thursday and mobilized the Indiana National Guard. On Friday, he requested federal aid.

Flooding could continue in the coming days as rain falls in areas that are already saturated and where rivers are brimming.

Here are Indiana emergency resources and what the Federal Emergency Management Agency says you should do if your home floods. In an emergency, you should call 9-1-1.

Find shelter

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has a map of open shelters online.

Find shelters served by the Red Cross by visiting its website, using the mobile app or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). The website lists shelter addresses, hours and whether they accept pets.

You can also contact your township trustee, who may be able to offer assistance to people who have had to flee their homes.

Report flood damage

To report storm damage, call 2-1-1, which can also be reached at 866-211-9966, or by using the online reporting tool.

Reporting damage is not the same as applying for assistance, but local officials say it could help communities get state and federal disaster relief.

Check road safety

Find state travel advisories from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security online, and look up road closures and safety at 511in.org.

Turn off power

If your home is at risk of flooding, turn off the power before evacuating.

When you return, make sure your gas and electricity are shut off before reentering. Unplug flooded appliances. FEMA recommends having an electrician inspect your home before turning the power back on.

Return cautiously

If your home floods, wait until flood waters recede and local officials say it’s safe before returning. Before entering your home, check for structural damage by looking for sagging or leaning walls, roofs and ceilings.

Be careful of animals that may be in your home, and make noise as you approach, according to guidance from Purdue Extension.

Save receipts

Keep receipts for any expenses during the emergency, including hotels, food and cleanup supplies.

Document damage

Make a list of the damage to your home and property. Take pictures or video of any flood damage in your home — including serial numbers for appliances — before cleaning up.

Tackle mold

Throw out or dry items that could grow mold, like cushioned furniture, pillows and clothing. Throw out food.

Talk to your insurer

Most homeowners insurance does not cover water damage from flooding. But you can file a claim if you have flood insurance, and if you have comprehensive auto insurance, it will typically cover damage.

Woodall Sworn-In as School Resource Officer

Noelle Maxwell

Kenneth Woodall was sworn-in as the new school resource officer for Greensburg Elementary School at the August 11 Board of Works meeting.

Woodall grew up in Spencer, Indiana, attended Vincennes University and obtained his associate’s in law enforcement. He started his law enforcement career in 1991 and left law enforcement in 1999. He has worked with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the District of Columbia Department of Homeland Security winning numerous awards for excellence over the course of his career. Woodall and his wife decided to move to Greensburg with their family for a slower pace of life than what they've had in Washington DC. Greensburg Police Chief Mike McNealy joked that Woodall is “really excited about the commute which is about one minute, as opposed to Indianapolis or DC,” adding, on a more serious note, that Woodall is “excited about serving the community he lives in.”

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