Charlestown Newsletter September 2018.

Charlestown City Hall 304 Main Cross St Charlestown, IN 47111 812-256-3422

NEWS LETTER Water System Sale Held Up in Court: Solution Delayed The solution to the 50-years-old problem of the water is still being delayed in court. Despite the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s approval of the water sale in March of this year, a small opposition group, NOW!, has appealed the approval. Indiana American is ready to go once the appeal process is over, that we believe will be before year’s end.

Though significant improvements to the water system have been made since 2000, resulting in a decrease in the frequency of discolored water complaints from 15-20 per day to less than that number in an entire quarter, we have always realized that there is still more work to be done. In 2015 our engineers designed a virtual map of the water system that gave an overall view of next steps. The city had formulated a long-range, multi-phase plan for completing the multi-million dollar improvements and knew that it would dramatically increase water rates for customers. While we were finalizing the plans for improvement, Indiana American Water approached us about purchasing the water distribution system and fixing the problem. After consultation with our engineers,

rate advisors, and attorneys, and much contemplation about the overall impact on the city, we decided it would be better for water customers if we sold. Indiana American is ready to begin spending 7.2 million dollars on the repairs to the water system. Company President, Debbie Dewey, said “Mayor Hall has said the water quality problem in Charlestown has persisted for 50-60 years. What we are looking to do is make sure that in less than 10% of that time, we have addressed it.” (You can watch the video with Ms. Dewey here https://vimeo.com/261327004.) Indiana American can leverage the economy of scale of its 330,000 customers versus the 3,000 existing Charlestown customers, to make improvements more cost-effective.

The city is ready to see the work begin. “The whole process is something we take very seriously and the transfer we will take seriously, too. We certainly hoped that the sale would have been completed long before now and that the improvements would have been well underway so that our customers would have been closer to an end of the discolored water,” stated Mayor Bob Hall. Once the sale is complete, the city will offer subsidies to utility customers, taken from a portion of the proceeds of the water system sale to phase in the water rate increases that will follow. Mayor Bob added, “Improving the quality of Charlestown water has been neither quick nor easy.

It will not be without costs. No one thought it would be. When the water sale is complete, the work on the ground begins, and we will begin to see the results of our commitment to improving our water.”

Charlestown JayC held a Ribbon Cutting to launch their ClickList service. Now you may place your order online, in advance, and have it delivered to your car. The store has also added selfcheckout lanes, 15 employees, and much more.

Trunk-or-Treat, hosted by Charlestown Parks, will be on the Square from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 31st. Parents, bring your children, with their sweet teeth, for a good time. If you wish to distribute candy, please contact Rhonda Davidson at rhonda.davidson@ cityofcharlestown.com.

Find us on Tweet us on Visit us on Visit the City of Charlestown On Page 2 *Moment with the Mayor *LED Signs website at *Dog Park Dedication *Remember to Vote CityofCharlestown.com

Clark “Doc” Werner Dog Park Dedicated The new dog park in Charlestown was dedicated as the Clark “Doc” Werner Dog Park in late August. The Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony included members of Clark Werner’s family. Dr. Werner was a veterinarian in Charlestown for many decades and had a particular fondness for canines. The spacious dog park is divided into two areas, one for larger dogs weighing 30 lbs and up, and one for dogs less than 30lbs. There is a walking path next to the fence on the inside of the park and a multi-use path, on the outside of the fence, that begins on Spring Street and encircles the entire park. Four trips around the park equal approximately one mile. Several benches are located inside and outside the park, with a few facing the creek that runs along the south side of the park. There are a few picnic tables, too. Visit cityofcharlestown. com for registration information and downloadable registration forms.

Email rhonda.davidson@cityofcharlestown.com with questions.

Registration for the 2018 Charlestown Basketball Developmental League, hosted by Charlestown Youth and Family Sports closes on October 1st. Visit cityofcharlestown.com to find a link to the registration page or email Kristin.Cox@ CityofCharlestown.com with questions.

Moment With the Mayor

LED SIGNS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE INFO Charlestown has two LED (light-emitting diode) signs that were installed several years ago to display information about city-sponsored events and community service announcements from civic groups, local charities, churches, and schools.

The signs are located on Market Street, just down the hill from Jonathan Jennings Intermediate School and on Park Street, in front of the Family Activities Park. There are guidelines for the information that is posted on the signs, but generally, the purpose is to provide an additional method for Charlestown residents and visitors to discover what is happening in our city and to promote civic pride. The signs are not for paid advertisements. If you think your group’s event would benefit from being displayed on the signs or if you have specific questions about them, please email john.spencer@cityofcharlestown.com or call 812-256-3422 and ask for extension 313.

Remember that you may pay your utility bill (water, sewer, trash) online by visiting cityofcharlestown. com. Look for the “Go Green, Go Paperless” image on the homepage. You may also call the utility billing office at 812-256-2427 and ask the staff to pay it online for you.

One of the privileges I have as Mayor is to participate in ribbon cuttings and dedications. It is always exciting when something new is opening in Charlestown, but it warms my heart when what we are celebrating can be dedicated to the memory of someone special in Charlestown’s history. Clark “Doc” Werner touched the lives of many animals and their human owners during his many years of service as a veterinarian. His family and those who remember him attest to his fondness for dogs, in particular.

It is only fitting that the new dog park, a place where dogs may run and play, and where their owners can enjoy watching them in a safe, serene location, is named after Dr. Werner. It was also inspirational to view the city’s team, including park designer Eric Vaughn, City Services Director Ben Ledbetter, and all of our city workers push themselves so hard to get the park ready for the ribbon cutting.

On another note - Since I first became mayor, there have been two major challenges that have plagued the city: Water Quality and the deterioration of Pleasant Ridge, otherwise known as “the projects.”.

We are committed to resolving these challenges and not kicking the can down the road. Our team wakes up every morning and we work hard to help make Charlestown a better and safer place to live.

The 2018 General Election is only weeks away, on Tuesday, November 6th. This is your opportunity to participate in the democratic process by casting your vote. The voter registration deadline is October 9th. Voter registration forms are available at Charlestown City Hall. You may also register to vote, check your registration record, and find your polling place by visiting the Voter Portal at indianavoters.in.gov or downloading the Indiana Voters app for your smartphone.

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