Spencer Council hears department updates

Spencer Town Council members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip and Mike Spinks met in regular session March 17, along with clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke, town manager Hunter Stogsdill and town attorney Richard Lorenz.

Following approval of the March 3 meeting minutes, the council heard from Julie Coffin, President of Spencer Main Street, with a request to approve the organization’s fifth annual Tailgate Sale on the Square. The council voted 3-0 in favor of the event, scheduled for April 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on East Market Street. In the event of rain, Coffin said the sale will be rescheduled for May 3.

The council also voted 3-0 to approve the temporary closure of four parking spaces along the west side of South Main Sreet. to accommodate an open house event for Rustic Delights, located at 65 S. Main St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 5.

Under public issues, the council voted 3-0 to approve signatory authorization resolution 2025-01, giving the council the ability to move forward with a planned wastewater infrastructure improvements project and council president Stantz authorization to sign relevant paperwork.

Acting on a motion from Stantz, seconded by McKalip, the council voted 3-0 to authorize the signature of amendments to the wastewater treatment plant’s Asset Management Plan, as well as a modified State Revolving Fund (SRF) plan process related to the wastewater infrastructure improvements project budget.

In other business, the council voted 3-0 to approve four invoices from Commonwealth Engineers related to wastewater system improvements and extensions, including Wastewater Improvements Phase 1, $11,400; Wastewater Improvements Phase 1, $55.57; MCSP (McCormick’s Creek State Park) Project, $3,285.68; and miscellaneous on-call, $2,786.57.

Two additional invoices were also approved for payment: $2,550 for Steve Egemo Concrete (sidewalk repairs) and $7,800 for Dubois Excavating LLC (sewer line replacement on James Drive).

Spencer Police Department (SPD) Chief Richard Foutch later addressed the council, requesting and receiving unanimous council approval to hire Ben Muncie as a full-time officer, filling a void left following the departure of officer Kyle Jackson.

“We’re still going to move forward with the hiring process,” Foutch said. “We know we’re going to have one, maybe two positions that will need to be filled in the near future. We currently have 10 applicants.” 

Foutch also noted officer Zack Brock is scheduled to graduate from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on April 25.

Under street department news, the council learned the department recently cut down and removed a tree near 237 S. Montgomery St. that had shown signs of heavy decay.

Sewer department superintendent Ryan Klaassen provided the board with a quote to purchase a new 28-horsepower pump for a lift station located along Beem Street totaling $6,598, as well as a quote to repair the existing 28-horsepower pump at a cost of $3,982. The council voted 3-0 to approve both requests.

Klaassen also noted the department’s new hydro-jetter trailer purchased from Brown Equipment Company (BEC) was to be delivered soon, while the order had been placed for its previously approved purchase of a new service vehicle from Curry Auto Center.

The Spencer Town Council will meet again on April 7 and April 21. Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St.