Contractor asks Corydon council to allow REMC to seek tap into Ramsay Water for sprinkler system

Joe Sherman, president of Sherman Construction, told the Corydon Town Council that a planned addition to a REMC facility will trigger a state requirement for a fire‑sprinkler system and that the town’s water pressure may be inadequate to support a pumpless sprinkler connection.

Sherman said his sprinkler subcontractor conducted flow testing and that installing a booster pump and any required storage tanks could add “thousands and thousands” of dollars to REMC’s project. “Would it be possible that they could talk to you about tapping into your system there across the street?” he asked the council, referring to a Ramsay Water Company main on the opposite side of Forest Road.

Sherman said he had already spoken with Mark Brace of Ramsay, and that Brace indicated jurisdictional permission would be required. “The first thing you’re going to have to discuss is ask county court if they grant you permission to let you connect to our service out there,” Sherman said he was told.

Council members discussed the technical tradeoffs, including the cost of pumps and tanks versus the expense and approvals necessary to extend a supply from Ramsay. One council member summarized the flow test concerns, saying the field test showed “the pressure there is very poor — 350 gallons a minute maybe and the pressure goes to near zero,” and noted that improving town pressure would be a major expense.

After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to authorize Sherman to approach Ramsay’s board and pursue talks about a possible tap; the council voted in favor. The council did not commit to approving a permanent boundary change or water‑service transfer, but it authorized Sherman to begin the intergovernmental conversation the contractor said was the next step.

The council’s direction leaves several open questions: whether Ramsay will agree to a tap; whether county or other jurisdictional approvals will be required; and whether REMC ultimately would need a pump and storage if the tap is denied. Sherman thanked town crews for a recent quick repair to the REMC service line and said he appreciated the council’s willingness to "try to make this work."

The council recorded the authorization to pursue talks as a formal action; no vote tally by name was recorded in the transcript. Next steps: Sherman will present findings from any discussions with Ramsay back to the council and, if Ramsay and legal/jurisdictional clearance are feasible, the council would consider any formal agreement or boundary adjustment required to complete a tap.