Claypool Council Enters Asset Purchase Agreement On Water Utility
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
CLAYPOOL — Claypool has officially entered an asset purchase agreement with Indiana American Water on the acquisition of the town’s water utility.
During a June 21 meeting, council passed a resolution for the agreement. The resolution states that the sale price is lower than its appraised value in order to keep residents’ water rates lower.
Discussions on IAW acquiring Claypool’s water utility first began in February 2020. The town held a public hearing on this matter during a January 2022 council meeting.
Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers Inc.; and Ben Adams, lead engineer on the town’s water utility study, also attended the meeting. Harrison introduced Adams to the council, and Adams requested any data or records Claypool has on the town’s utilities.
Council and Commonwealth representatives also met on May 25, in a special meeting, to further discuss Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) violations and contracting. In that meeting, council voted to have Commonwealth complete a master utility study with monies from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund.
Adams also requested to set up a meeting with Wastewater Superintendent Danny Warner to gain familiarity with the area.
Council also:
- Approved two vacation requests, one for Town Marshal Ben Sanders and the other for Warner.
- Approved an election agreement with county officials to manage election work in their jurisdiction.
- Adopted the Claypool Comprehensive Plan. This plan is part of the Revised Countywide Comprehensive Plan initiated by county leaders, the K21 Health Foundation and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
Claypool Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the Lions Club building. The council is holding an administrative meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the town barn. Commonwealth Engineers will be at the admin meeting to further discuss the master utility study.