Middletown council awards $257,672 paving contract, adopts parking and stop‑sign ordinances and backs township reorganization study

The Middletown Town Council on June 18 voted to award a $257,672.15 contract to E & B Paving for street repairs under the INDOT Community Crossings Grant and approved several related budget and personnel items.

Matt Spidel of engineering firm BFS told the council that 10th Street repairs are paused for weather but that BFS recommends awarding the Community Crossings Grant work to E & B Paving for $257,672.15. Councilman Dan Fountain moved to accept the bid; Gary Kendall seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Tim Mundell presented documents confirming prior council approval for recent sewer maintenance on Locust Street. The council recorded that $240,821.94 will be paid to contractor Yarberry Landscaping from an OCRA grant and that $20,000 will come from local funds; BFS engineering fees of $17,800 will be paid from the OCRA grant.

The council signed a previously approved resolution forgiving fire hydrant fee debt (Resolution 2019-05-21-01) and a previously approved local ordinance establishing minimum wiring and electrical requirements (Ordinance No. 2019-04).

Donita Chambless moved to suspend the rules and pass Middletown Ordinance 2019-5, which prohibits parking on the west side of 5th Street within 80 feet north of Locust Street. After a second by Dan Fountain the council adopted the ordinance unanimously on final reading. The council also adopted Ordinance 2019-6 to establish stop signs at Congress Street and South 14th Street after motions by Fountain and Chambless.

Steve Thompson, trustee of Fall Creek Township, briefed the council on a proposed reorganization of town and township governments and said a public follow-up meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2019. Thompson listed estimated preliminary costs for the study process: an estimated $25,000 for a financial advisor (Bakertilly), $10,000 for legal, and roughly $5,000 for bond-related work. Jake Smith said the reorganization concept is worthwhile but cautioned that the timing is difficult given limited discretionary funds and requested a stated cap on the town’s contribution and an option to stop spending if the study or referendum does not proceed. Town Attorney Joel Harvey said he would draft an interlocal agreement allocating costs equally. Dan Fountain moved to adopt Resolution No. 2019-06-18-02 accepting Fall Creek Township’s proposal to participate in the reorganization study; Dick Schwalm seconded and the resolution passed unanimously.

On operational items, Ron Koons reported that the single-hauler trash committee has a tentative contract drafted by the town attorney and the council authorized the committee to begin the bidding process. Police Chief Amanda Kirby requested funding to buy six ballistic vests for reserve officers at a total cost of $5,331.48; she said $3,551.22 is available from Police Reserve and Donation funds and requested $1,788.26 from the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund to cover the balance. Gary Kendall moved to approve the purchase; Dan Fountain seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Chief Kirby also requested a pay‑grade increase for Officer James Hunt from Grade 2 to Grade 4. Dick Schwalm moved to approve the personnel change; Dan Fountain seconded and the council approved the raise unanimously.

Patty Schwalm reminded residents of a volunteer “Civic Day” at the Civic Center on July 17, 2019, and the council was reminded of a public 2020 budget meeting set for July 23, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting adjourned and the minutes show the clerk-treasurer identified as Dave Holmes.

What’s next: the council asked the town attorney to draft an interlocal agreement reflecting equal sharing of reorganization study costs; a public meeting on the reorganization is scheduled for July 9, and a public budget meeting is set for July 23.