Paoli council gets lead service‑line update, authorizes INDOT reimbursement agreement for US 150 culvert

The Paoli Town Council on Nov. 4 heard a project update from Commonwealth Engineers and voted 5-0 to authorize President Bobbie Bostock to sign an Indiana Department of Transportation reimbursement agreement for the US 150 culvert project.

Eric Parsley of Commonwealth Engineers told the council base maps for the Lead Service Line Project are prepared and that crews will call in utility locates “the next couple of weeks” before sending staff in vests to mark existing utilities. He said a final inspection last week found four outstanding items; the contractor is scheduled to return to complete them and Commonwealth will re‑inspect. Parsley reported a deducted change order currently exceeds $25,000 and said the town will need to verify inspections: a third inspection may require the contractor to pay for the final inspection if the project remains at budget.

On the US 150 culvert, Parsley said the contractor that had been awarded work did not pothole and verify utilities where the plans indicated, forcing the town to consider hiring a surveyor and changing the design. Commonwealth said it would prefer not to incur further design costs until the town signs the final INDOT reimbursement agreement; the council approved a motion authorizing President Bostock to sign the agreement so the project can proceed.

“[They will] have people out with vests on so you know who they are, marking where existing utilities,” Parsley said when describing upcoming field work. Council members voted to authorize the signature without dissent.

Next steps: the contractor is expected to return to complete the punch list items and Commonwealth will follow up with another inspection. The council was told Commonwealth hopes to have all items closed out by the council’s next meeting and that additional survey work and any design changes for the culvert will await the signed INDOT reimbursement paperwork.