Published: August 28, 2008 10:32 am         

Millersburg residents sprucing up lots

MILLERSBURG, Ind. — Many Millersburg residents are improving their residential lots, adding new sidewalks and clearing away brush and problematic tree limbs, Maintenance Superintendent Matt King told Town Council members Wednesday.

King also advised the council of the pending expenses.

“There are lots of people doing sidewalks now, so we’ll have some money going out in concrete. Everyone wants to get it done before the weather changes,” King said.

Council president Jim Winkler asked King to remind him of the exact policy regarding sidewalk replacement.

“There are two options.” King said, “The town pays for the concrete and the resident does the labor, or the town does the labor and the resident pays for the concrete,” King said.

Winkler noted that replacement funds are available for existing sidewalk reconstruction only.

King also shared that he is having difficulties acquiring a source for his annual purchase of 40 tons of road salt for the winter.

“Now the suppliers won’t sell to anyone buying less than 150 tons,” King said, “We can only store about 40 tons.”

Price is also a concern for King and his departmental budget.

“In 2007, I paid $46 or $47 a ton for it. I heard I might have to pay double that this year,” King said.

King will continue to search for a vendor, possibly purchasing through a co-op or from a new source.

King also noted that the construction of an additional storage area at Cook Station Park is nearly complete, and will help house maintenance items and other park equipment.