The closing on the SRF loan will be Oct. 29. A public hearing on the ordinance was held before the council meeting.

In a related matter, the town’s wastewater superintendent Brad Zellers reported that the most recent phase of the sewer project, which will separate sewage water from storm water runoff, cut the flow into the town’s wastewater plant from 500,000 gallons to 230,000 gallons.

In other business, the council approved a motion to pass the savings, resulting from a decrease in the electric tracking factor, on to customers.

The council accepted the low bid from Heims Tree Service for public tree removal.

Two bids were presented for an expansion project at the fire department building. The town’s share is expected to be about $40,000. The Winamac Volunteer Fire Department will also contribute some funding, including monies from some of their fundraisers. The WVFD will also provide some help, with the assistance of the town’s electrical department, in hauling away concrete and other materials.

Council president John Plowman reported on his attendance at the IACT (Indiana Association of Cities and Towns) conference, and discussed a plan called “Indiana Downtown.” Launched in 2001, this program is based on the successful American Downtown program and provides assistance to local leaders who wish to boost downtown economics and enhancement.

Plowman said there are grants available through IACT for 50 percent of the cost of the program, $31,500, on a first-come, first-served basis. He added that several surrounding towns have participated in the program.

The council discussed next year’s salary ordinances. It was decided to resume the discussion at the November meeting, and enact the ordinances at the December meeting.

Park manager Don Thompson reported no new vandalism in September. He is preparing the park for winter, and has repaired and repainted the fence. He expressed his understanding that since he plans to retire in April 2012, that next year’s summer help will include a person interested in assuming his position.

Police chief Mike Buchanan presented his monthly statistics. All officers have completed the required state training, except for several hours on taser and defensive tactics that can be acquired locally. All have qualified on handguns and shotguns. The state requirements have been increased to 24 hours of training, instead of 16. More training funds have been added to next year’s budget to cover this.

Doug Shorter informed the council that the electric department has been aggressively cleaning limbs and brush so this task doesn’t have to be completed on an annual basis. He said homeowners have been very cooperative. The department has installed several underground services in areas that are always difficult to repair in wet or inclement weather. The department is also almost finished installing the radio-read meters.

Zellers reported the water department has installed 300-feet of storm sewer with three catch basins at the north end of town to help with drainage in that area. He added that there is no need for a larger line at Plymouth Tube at this time. A pump at the sewer plant has been repaired as needed.

He also reported that Johnson & Johnson Co. has been using the Winamac facility to test a new product designed to increase oxygen in the lagoons, with the goal of lessening the need for chemicals and to cut odors. The testing is at no cost to the town.

Town manager Jim Conner told the council a letter has been sent to LGS Plumbing to update them on the town’s time frame on signing a contract with them for the third phase of the sewer construction.