By JONATHAN SNYDER
KBL Transport will be supplying Bluffton with concrete for sidewalk and curb improvements, the Board of Public Works and Safety announced Tuesday.
On March 12, the Board of Works opened bids from KBL and JL Wilson Construction for concrete. KBL had the low bid, with ADA ramps valued at $2,350 each, $65 per linear foot for both standing and roll curbs, $18 per square foot for sidewalk concrete and $20 for concrete drives and approaches six inches deep.
“They (KBL) were uniquely well underneath (JL Wilson) on each and every line item,” said Street Commissioner Tim Simpson.
Utility Director Jon Oman stated that Inliner Solutions is almost ready to perform spot fixes for sewer pipes, and they will pull out of town until the spring. Materials for street lights on River Road have also been purchased and will be installed from the Rotary Park Pavilion to Red Bridge once a survey is completed.
The road closure of Main Street last Thursday also brought up a discussion about another bridge going across the Wabash River to help with traffic flow. Oman noted that any bridge would take a partnership between Bluffton and Wells County. Mayor John Whicker also stated that a partnership would be worth looking into.
The board also approved the Parks Department’s new hirings for the summer — 16 concession workers, 17 lifeguards, two pool managers, a concessions manager, six maintenance staff members and a staff member for the tennis courts were hired. All of the positions pay above $9 an hour, with some members getting additional money if they fill in as managers. Additionally, the board also approved a contract for Kathy Gehrett’s services in arts, crafts and drawing classes.
Another new hire and a raise were also approved on Tuesday.
The board approved Jayme Miller’s hire as a 911 dispatcher. She has two years of experience in the public safety field as a confinement officer with the Adams County Jail and is going for her master’s in criminology. This puts the department at 11 dispatchers.
The board also gave a raise to Building Department Assistant Karen Nash, who goes to her maximum allocated salary. She has worked in the department for two years, but a misread salary ordinance saw her pay at the 2023 salary ordinance maximum, not the 2024 ordinance.
The Local Road and Street Department also transferred $55,000 from the office supplies line item to the maintenance and repair line item.
jonathan@news-banner.com
