By JONATHAN SNYDER
Markle and Uniondale’s fire departments have now merged, according to an announcement by the Markle Town Council during its Wednesday meeting.
Operations Manager Mike Grant, representing Chief Jon Gray, stated that Uniondale’s and Markle’s fire departments will officially be under the Markle Fire Department name. Both stations will have one main chief over them, but an assistant chief will be present at each fire house.
Grant stated that this allows the Markle department to get assistance from Uniondale’s department on major cases, and Markle will do the same for Uniondale. Council member Matthew Doss stated that truck-wise, Markle is covered and this merge allows Markle to put assets into different places.
“A lot of the questions that people ask is, ‘What happens if there’s a fire in Markle, do we have to wait for Uniondale to get there?’ and no, Markle Fire Department’s going to be there,” Doss stated. “But the Uniondale Fire Department volunteers will be put on alert and they will respond if something else happens or if they need support in Markle and we will do the same for them. We’re talking six miles of difference between (the two stations).”
Due to the merge, Gray and Grant requested that the town and township trustees increase the maximum number of fire department employees from 30 to 50. Grant reported that both departments have approximately 20 members at the moment, so the increase will leave a buffer for new hires to come aboard.
The Markle Town Council agreed to increase the employee threshold, but since the town and the townships of Union, Jefferson, Rockcreek and Lancaster, which surround the Markle fire department, help support the station, the matter still needs approved by the township trustees from the four areas.
Additionally, the town opened two bids for a garbage collection contract with the town. GFL Environmental out of Fort Wayne had the low bid at $19.25 per dwelling per month in year one of the contract, with the amount increasing to $20.02 and $20.82 in years two and three respectively. A monthly second waste and recycle cart is also part of the contract at $9.50 per dwelling per month for the entire contract.
Republic services had the second bid, with their amounts costing over $2 per dwelling per month greater than GFL’s bid. The council approved GFL’s bid for services, contingent that the all the provisions that Markle requested are met. GFL representatives present at the council meeting noted that pickup will change from Thursday every week to Tuesday, and they will provide new containers for Markle.
When Rob Randall asked about where to get a schedule for trash pickup, Clerk-Treasurer Stephenie Hensley stated that physical paper copies of the new pickup schedule will be available once the switch occurs. Caley also stated that signing up for Markle’s text alert service will notify people when trash pickup happens.
Markle also further discussed its role in the county’s search for a new economic development director. Doss stated that the primary goal and interest for Markle is to be involved in the Wells County process for economic development, with discussions continuing to occur between the county and Markle, according to Doss.
“From my own opinion I think (collaboration with Wells) is still something that we should continue to pursue,” Doss said. “I suspect we’re going to have to set up a special meeting once we get that contract to bring it out to the public.”
Furthermore, Grant proposed three different needs for Markle in his operations manager report. Grant proposed adding 650 feet worth of drainage along the west side of the whispering pines housing addition to help alleviate water issues that have risen. Grant warned that since the town is busy with the water main project and fiberoptic cable installation among other projects, the addition may be delayed. The council allowed Grant to collect bids for installing the necessary drainage.
Grant also proposed to widen the intersection at Asher Drive and Novae Parkway. Grant stated that the intersection is not wide enough for trucks to make turns in that area, citing a pulverized phone box and a crushed culvert pipe. Council member Blake Caley concurred that the intersection needs widened and the council approved Grant to look for bids.
Moreover, the council approved Grant to look for a bucket truck as part of the water main project. Grant stated that DLZ asked for a bucket truck as a part of their equipment, which Markle does not have. Grant clarified that there is a $75,000 budget available to purchase one, but is confident he can get one for about $30,000.
Additional council actions are as follows:
• Approved a tax abatement for Wayne Metals for new manufacturing and IT equipment, a new robotic welder machine, a new universal feed machine and spot welder and a 45,000 square foot building.
• Discussed a potential tax abatement for Sortera Technologies, with the company’s goal of investing an additional $3 million into their building by the end of the year and to employ 100 people.
• Approved a tax abatement for K-K Tool and Design for a new Hurco Mill.
• Discussed a potential ordinance change which could get rid of the fee to request a bill adjustment for a water leak.
• Discussed a potential plan to review past ordinances on a three to five year schedule to check their relevancy.
jonathan@news-banner.com
