Darmstadt council approves $110,420 backhoe and $101,453.66 tractor, waives sewer late fees after mailing failure

DARMSTADT, Ind. — The Darmstadt Town Council on July 16 approved two major equipment purchases to support town maintenance and agreed to waive sewer late fees after a postal‑service failure delayed roughly 550 bills.

The council voted to buy a Case backhoe for $110,420 after Ray Engler moved the purchase and Cecil Poag seconded; the motion passed 4‑0. Later the council approved a John Deere replacement tractor from Vanderburgh County priced at $101,453.66 with a 36‑month, 3,600‑hour warranty from Hutson; Engler moved and Council President Eric Gries seconded that motion, which passed with three yes votes and one abstention from Poag.

Clerk‑Treasurer Mallory Lowe told the council the town received its June tax settlement and paid a $75,500 June bond payment for state land. Lowe also reported two separate utility‑related problems: a change by Centerpoint in account numbers that removed 88 of the town’s 101 electric meters from the town’s online account, and a USPS failure that left about 550 sewer bills mailed June 26 either delayed, returned or not postmarked. Lowe said some of those bills arrived three weeks late and some remain undelivered; she has filed reports with the Inglefield post office, the Louisville sorting facility and USPS managers in Indianapolis. Lowe said she notified local news outlets and the town’s online group page and that the town will waive late fees for the affected billing cycle.

"We received our June tax settlement and paid the $75,500 June bond payment," Lowe said, and she described ongoing work with postal and utility providers to resolve the billing issues.

The fire department reported 12 runs since the last meeting — seven EMS runs, two paramedic calls and one vehicle fire — and that the new fire engine is now in service, according to fire department representative Brandon Zimmer. Sheriff Lt. Christopher Roe reported six alarm runs, 56 extra patrols, 18 traffic stops and seven business checks, and said deputies have increased enforcement on Martin and Hoing roads in response to resident complaints about speeders.

Maintenance work reported by council member Cecil Poag (relaying a report from Aaron and Mick) included 56 locates, two duplex rebuilds, 13 service calls, town mowing, tree trimming on Martin and Wortman roads, road edge repairs, application of weed preventer around signs and guardrails, and initial work to reduce manholes and infiltration & inflow (I&I) by relocating a problematic pump station.

Old‑business items included a legal review: town attorney Josh Claybourn said he is still researching charges related to the EWSU mandate and will update the council when he has more information. Lowe said American Legal Publishing will provide a legal report in about 30 days to assist with corrections to the town’s codification draft.

Council members also directed Engler to work with Mahindra and/or Juncker to pursue a return of the Mahindra tractor, which has continued problems; Crystal Kahre moved that direction, Engler seconded, and the motion passed with Poag recorded as abstaining.

Votes at a glance: Poag moved and Kahre seconded acceptance of last month’s minutes (passed 4‑0); Poag moved and Kahre seconded acceptance of the financial report (passed 4‑0); Poag moved and Engler seconded approval of accounts payable claims (passed 4‑0); Engler moved and Poag seconded purchase of the Case backhoe (passed 4‑0); Engler moved and Gries seconded purchase of the John Deere tractor (passed 3‑0 with Poag abstaining); Kahre moved and Engler seconded the direction to pursue return of the Mahindra tractor (passed 3‑0 with Poag abstaining).

The council adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Mallory Lowe attested to the minutes.