From left, Leesburg Council President Doug Jones, Council Member Tom Moore and Council Vice-President Christina Archer. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels.

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG —  Leesburg Council Member Tom Moore gave an update regarding the town’s septic system at the Town Council meeting Monday, July 13.

Following a monthly sanitary sewer report presented by Derek Tenney of Tenney & Sons, Inc., Moore shared that he and Tenney recently had a meeting regarding ongoing issues with the sewer system. Moore said the system is approximately 12 years old and is reaching the age where problems will begin to arise more frequently. 

“With that in mind, Derek and I have talked about it at great length and come up with some solutions, some alterations to what we’ve been doing in the past, and I think it’s going to be a great big plus for everyone involved,” Moore said.

Moore reviewed a list of changes they plan to implement, including having an excavating contractor who will be responsible for calling in utility locates. In addition, the contractor will be responsible for verifying utility locations and will leave the site ready for seeding.

Kester Electric Motor Service from Warsaw is the pump repair contractor, Moore said, but Tenney & Sons will still pull pumps when necessary. 

D&D Electric will be responsible for the control panel at the main pump station. 

The town will also be keeping a supply of backup parts for the control panel at the Prairie Street building for easy access. 

In other matters, Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton presented a monthly update report, reviewing equipment status, ordinance violations and other items.

Charlton requested repair or replacement of the plow on the town’s 2001 Ford truck due to issues with the bracket that connects the plow to the truck. 

After discussion, it was agreed that the town will accept a bid in the amount of $3,448 from W.A. Jones in Columbia City for a new plow.

Leesburg Council President Doug Jones raised the subject of whether someone should be designated as chairperson for the walkways and bikeways project initiated by a pledge from the K21 Health Foundation. 

The pledge gives Leesburg, along with eight other towns in the county, the opportunity to receive up to $200,000 for projects that focus on health and wellness in their community.

Leesburg Town Council Vice-President Christina Archer volunteered to chair the project, with Jones offering to assist.

Toward the end of the meeting, Moore said, “I want to thank our legal counsel for reminding us of what we can and cannot always do without a plan commission.”

He said that although “it would be nice if there was some magic wand that could be waved” to have all residents obey speed limits and keep properties trash-free, etc., there are certain things they are unable to do without a plan commission. 

Moore’s comments follow talk at last month’s meeting on two separate subjects — potential restrictions on long-term living in campers and limitations on the number of pets allowed in a home.

Moore said Leesburg does not belong to Area Plan. In order for the town to develop its own area plan commission, Moore said, a number of citizens of the town would be required to serve on the board. Moore said in the 12 years he has been involved with the council, he is not aware of anyone who wants to do that.

Reminders:

• There is no parking on any street between 3-5 a.m.
• No burning
• Please be mindful of what you flush
• Speed limits in town are 25 mph
• The next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10. 

From left, Attorney Vern Landis and Leesburg Council President Doug Jones.