By JONATHAN SNYDER
A new Dodge Ram 5500 dump truck will be available for the Sewer Collections Department, following approval by the Board of Public Works and Safety on Tuesday.
The truck comes from Fox Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and costs $100,048. The old 2002 Ford F550 needed to be replaced, with the board noting that 22 years for a dump truck is a long lifespan.
Kelly Automotive Group had the low bid for the truck at $97,806, but the truck would not arrive for four months and would require an additional two or three weeks to install the truck bed. Fox has the truck in stock and its estimate for installing the bed is about six to eight weeks.
Wastewater and Stormwater Collections Supervisor Derrick Deininger specified that the truck would be used for smaller jobs. Board of Works member Scott Mentzer noted that there is funding available in the sewer collections department’s capital cumulative fund to pay the expense.
There was also a discussion from Brandy Singleton about her dog running loose. Singleton stated that the dog is nonviolent, and has an enclosure inside the home and a chain he’s attached to when outside to help prevent him running.
Animal Shelter Employee Megan Bowling gave further context that they have had trouble with the dog since Singleton was living in Ossian. Bowling stated the dog is running because it has not been neutered.
Singleton shared a concern that a previous surgery to the dog’s intestinal area could cause further complications. Board member Josh Hunt shared that he had a similar situation with his dog, but did not have issues with neutering.
Bowling also noted that some organizations, like the Wells County Foundation, are willing to alleviate the cost should that be a problem. Singleton said that she tried to get that help, as well as attempting to find other shelters around the area to take the dog but none of them would house the animal.
In previous cases, the board has ruled that the owner needs to have the animal neutered and chipped so that it can be returned to the owner if it runs again. Mentzer further commented that if a veterinarian finds a significant risk in neutering the dog, then the board could reconsider. The issue was deferred on to next week’s meeting.
“People are scared of this animal when it’s loose,” Mentzer said. “If it’s (the dog) a part of your family and it gets lost, you want it to come home.”
Additionally, a raise for Parks Department Superintendent Brandy Fiechter was tabled until a later meeting. Fiechter has not been given a merit raise since 2021, according to Mayor John Whicker. While Fiechter was given a raise when she was appointed superintendent, it was not at the maximum payment in the salary ordinance. While Mentzer, Hunt and Whicker stated that Fiechter “absolutely deserved” the maximum salary, the board wanted to figure out how to appropriately do so.
Additionally, a water adjustment at 922 West Market St. was continued to a later meeting. While a toilet at the property was fixed in February, the water bill got more expensive throughout March. While Hunt is hopeful that the issue may work itself out, the board needs more information on where the leak is before they make a decision. Whicker stated that he would get someone from the Utility Department to do a meter reading and urged the homeowner to hold off on paying until the issue is resolved next week.
Three SRF Claims were paid by the board. James S. Jackson Construction was paid $1,489,980 for the wastewater treatment plant. DLZ Corporation was paid $154 and $75,968 on two separate items. The board noted that since Bluffton has no city engineer to oversee the labor, they plan to appoint Tony Fey to review the labor costs from DLZ.
jonathan@news-banner.com
