Sellersburg council approves surplus-vehicle ordinance, Allentown safety project and several sewer, water and mitigation items

The Town of Sellersburg Town Council on June 9 approved a string of routine but consequential actions including an ordinance declaring two 2020 Dodge Durango police vehicles surplus, a $59,550 construction award for an Allentown Road safety edge, amendments and work orders for Ivy Tech and INDOT sewer and water work, and purchase of an $76,800 wetland mitigation credit tied to a sewer realignment.

The approvals clear near-term work for the town’s public-works and sewer projects and give the town manager and police chief authority to dispose of the surplus vehicles. Council members said the measures move planned construction and acquisitions forward without large delays.

The council voted to adopt an ordinance declaring two 2020 Dodge Durango police vehicles surplus or of no market value and to authorize the town manager or chief of police to sell, trade or otherwise dispose of the vehicles. The ordinance text in the meeting references Indiana Code provisions on disposal and trade-ins; the vehicles were listed in the meeting packet as: a 2020 Dodge Durango with 73,468 miles and a $10,000 trade-in amount, and a 2020 Dodge Durango with 66,807 miles and a $10,000 trade-in amount. The motion to approve was made by Scott and seconded by Matt; the council voted “aye” and the motion carried.

Council members also approved awarding construction for the Allentown Road safety-edge project to Wing Paving for $59,550. Charlie, a town staff member, said he solicited three quotes and that Wing Paving submitted the low bid of $59,005.50 (the motion approved $59,550 in the meeting). He described the work as safety edge apron work, driveway aprons, milling, four culvert replacements, grading, restorations and thermoplastic markings for a short, hazardous stretch of Allentown Road where drop-offs are 8–12 inches. Charlie said the town could have pursued a state safety grant but that federal environmental and survey requirements would have increased cost and extended the schedule; using town funds and a standard contract would likely complete the work in 60–90 days. “We saved the town a thousand dollars,” Charlie said after council approval.

On sewer and easement matters, the council approved a $20,000 amendment related to Ivy Tech pump station project right-of-way and easement acquisition (identified in the packet as amendment number 2, work order 2023-012), a $36,700 work order (2024-08) for sewer work that town staff said should be reimbursable by INDOT under an extraordinary cost agreement, and a $4,500 work order (2024-09) for water work that staff said likely would not be reimbursed. The Ivy Tech amendment was described as covering actual acquisition costs and bringing the town’s payment closer to what staff expended; the motions to approve these items carried on voice votes.

The council also approved moving forward with the Sunflower Valley sewer package: staff reported that the town has reached IFA approval to proceed, completed roughly 2,000 service-line inspections in targeted neighborhoods, and will rebid the project with an advertised pre-bid meeting and bid opening dates. Mike Harris, a town staff member, said the rebid removed a mandatory night-work requirement and extended the completion time from 45 to 90 days to attract bidders.

As part of the Town Center sewer realignment project, the council authorized purchase of an $76,800 wetland mitigation credit required after an alignment change and clearing. Mike Harris said working with the contractor (“Mac”) and the revised approach saved the town about $95,000 on construction but created a $76,800 mitigation-credit cost; the net effect was a savings of approximately $18,200. The council voted to approve paying the $76,800 from the project budget.

Other items taken during the meeting included tabling the Town Center easement acquisition for further alignment updates (motion to table approved), staff updates about new radar speed signs being installed around town, paving schedules (Perry Crossing milling and paving dates were given), the Sellersburg pool being open, and ongoing alley paving priorities. A resident, Rhonda Steele of 9720 Highway 60, spoke during public comment asking about the easement item that was tabled; staff offered to review maps with her after the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance: disposal of surplus or worthless personal property (police vehicles). Motion approved (mover: Scott; second: Matt). Ordinance cites Indiana Code sections regarding disposal/trade-in; specific ordinance number referenced in the discussion appears as “2025 OR 017” and later as “2025-ORD-012” in the meeting text (see provenance). Trade-in amounts listed in packet: $10,000 and $10,000 for the two Durangos. - Allentown Road safety-edge construction award to Wing Paving. Motion approved (mover: Scott; second: Matt). Award amount discussed: $59,005.50 quoted; motion approved for $59,550. - Town Center easement acquisition (item tabled). Motion to table approved (mover: Scott; second: Matt). - Ivy Tech pump station easement amendment (amendment #2 / work order 2023-012). Motion approved to add $20,000 to cover acquisition costs (mover: Scott; second: Terry). - Work order 2024-08 (sewer): $36,700. Motion approved (mover: Scott; second: Terry). Staff: sewer cost expected to be reimbursable by INDOT. - Work order 2024-09 (water): $4,500. Motion approved (mover: Matt; second: Scott). Staff: likely not reimbursable by INDOT for the water portion. - Purchase of wetland mitigation credit: $76,800 (Town Center sewer realignment). Motion approved (mover: Matt; second: Scott). Staff reported net construction savings of about $95,000 resulting in a net benefit of roughly $18,200 after the mitigation-credit cost.

The meeting adjourned after a general-staff report and public comments. Several councilmembers and staff emphasized continuing paving and safety work, the upcoming Juneteenth closure and community events, and attention to alley inventory and acceptance into INDOT inventory.

Ending: Council members indicated oversight will continue as staff returns with final alignment maps, project change orders and bid results as projects move into the construction or acquisition phases.