LaPorte County solid waste board accepts insurance payment, authorizes loan paperwork and approves cleanup contract

The LaPorte County Solid Waste District board on March 25 said it received an insurance payment of $54,206 to help cover cleanup of a compost site damaged by last year’s fire and moved to secure additional financing and a contractor to complete remediation work.

Director said the insurance payment was received as “an additional $54,206 to go towards the cleanup cost at the compost site down there,” but added the district’s cleanup estimate is about $365,000 and the insurance amount does not fully cover projected costs. Board members discussed contracting and financing options before voting.

The board authorized staff to accept loan documents and adopt a resolution to proceed with borrowing to fund the cleanup. The director told the board staff solicited proposals and received offers from First Source and Horizon Bank; the board discussed terms and delegated review of the loan paperwork to a board member before final signature. The board approved a motion to proceed with the resolution by voice vote.

Separately, the board reviewed and approved the final draft of the contract with the contractor referred to in the meeting as "Homer." Board members noted the company requested 45 days to mobilize rather than 30 but said the contractor had agreed to haul and remove material; the board approved the contract and authorized the chairman to sign.

Public commenters and several board members stressed that local businesses and residents rely on county disposal services. On behalf of small contractors, Tom Rechter said he “rel[y] on being able to dump here in the county,” and urged the board to restore contractor access once the site is reorganized.

The board’s actions put financing and contractor arrangements in place to move toward cleanup; board members said they will circulate loan documents to the membership for review and sign final paperwork when checks and terms are confirmed.