The Greentown Grapevine – 2004-03, 11:03

              Volume 11, Issue 3 “ apl@ Y? r fm dlepwple” March 2004
Which Way to Go? Invest More in Sewage
Plant or Correct Problems of Infiltration?
Greentown has been on a ban of
additional sewer hook- ups since 1997
or 1998. This ban was imposed by the
Indiana Department of Environmental
Management ( IDEM) because there
were instances when the town was
permitting raw sewage to flow into
Wildcat Creek. This ban is preventing
expansion of the town.
Improvements were made to the
Wastewater Treatment Plant in 1999-
2000 including a surge tank.
Wastewater Dept. Superintendent, Bill
Ross, explained, “ What was done at
the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the
last project was never intended to be a
capacity project. IDEM required
Greentown to do something at the
have a surplus and there are few places
to go for grants at this time.” He then
asked for comments from the
audience.
Jolene Rule stated, “ It is obvious we
have an infiltration problem.” Jeff
Bennet said, “ Rates have already been
raised to pay for a plant which doesn’t
work.” He reminded the Council that
the Meadows has not been smoked.
Tom Harper said, “ It’s my opinion that
no more money should be spent on
this.” Jim Miller stated, “ I think we
should take care ‘ of our present
problem.”
Town Engineer, Don Humphrey
advised that it would take $ 2- 3 million
to fix all the sewers in town. A
Wastewater superintendent, Bill Ross,
said he would like a plan for repairing
the collection system on a regular
basis. Ross said, “ We need to repair
some items at the plant that could
cause problems with our current
situation. Then the rest of the money
should be spent on the collection
system. Then with continued repairs
of the collection system on a regular
basis we should be able to get a handle
on the total problem.” Ross added,
“ We need to insure that even though
the collection system of ‘ out of sight’
that it doesn’t become ‘ out of mind’.
We need a continual maintenance and
replacement program in place to insure
that collection system doesn’t get in a
state of disrepair that will cost millions
to replace, but a small amount could be
spent on a regular basis to keep inflow
and infiltration to a minimum.’’
Council member, Marq‘ Lindgren,
asked, “ What would it take to get the
fines enforced?” Council members
Craig Trott and Todd Everling, along
with Bill Ross were instructed to meet
and start enforcing the fines. Lindgren
also said when the weather is suitable
the Meadows should be smoked.
Grant Street to Get Sidewalks
Councilman Craig Trott announced
that he had received a letter from
MDOT as an oficial notice of
$ 200,000 to be granted for sidewalks
on a portion of East Grant Street.
plant and the collection system. The
u‘ spegpraardaeti oni pnr oje1c9t9’ 9fr- o2m00 t0h e swtaarts. ” a It’s Sugarin’ Time - Can Spring Be Far Behind?
3 meeting of the Council that, “ We are. Brandon and Curt Alexander, on the left, and Alicia, Don, and Justin Bryant are the team which tends the
trying to work out some sort of sugar maple trees during syrup- making time in the spring.
schedule with them ( IDEM) on Photo by Rachel Jenkins
improvements that will help US get off Traditional harbingers of spring are to collect the sap, pouring it from the February. It will end when the buds
the sewer ban.” He presented the the return of the robins, blooming of buckets into a tank pulled behind a begin to swell on the trees.
basis of a plan to eventually remedy crocuses, and the Song Sparrow’s garden tractor. Then the evaporation Their children, Curt’s son Brandon,
the problem of overflows. The plan happy trill. In some areas favored with process may take 4- 6 hours, sometimes and Don’s son and daughter Justin and
would be to enlarge the wastewater maple trees, those signs are joined by longer. A 2’ x 6’ evaporator is housed Alicia, were a reason to embark on the
treatment plant to a capacity to handle the sight of sugar buckets “ growing” in a building constructed with lumber project. The dads wished to give their
more development. The theory is that on the trunks of trees. harvested from Don’s woods. His children a unique experience and more
the additional development would Such is the case in some woods near woods also supplies the fuel for the opportunities to play with their cousins
bring in more revenue in sewage fees the village of Jerome, on the banks of fire under the evaporator. and enjoy the woods. At this time, the
which would pay for the enlarged plant Wildcat Creek. Don Bryant and his They learned the process by “ doing children like to . help empty the
as well as needed replacements to the brother- in- law, Curt Alexander, are a lot of reading” and consulting with buckets. They watch the evaporating
collection system ( the sewers). The beginning their third season of tapping other syrup makers. Temperatures from a vantage point in a “ loft”. Dan
enlarged plant is estimated to cost the trees, collecting the sap, and need to be below freeze at night and and Curt believe the children will want
$ 750,000 to $ 1 million. Harris stated, evaporating it into maple syrup. They to be more involved in the process as
“ The sewage operating fund does not tend about 200 taps. It takes two hours they are able.
above that during the day for the sap to
run. This year the season began in late