From left, Sidney Town Council Members Rebecca Adams and Sharon Rancourt, Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Parrett and Town Council President Gavin Parrett discussed the HWC Engineering contract in a special meeting Tuesday, June 24. InkFreeNews photo by Elizabeth Hershberger.

By Elizabeth Hershberger
InkFreeNews

SIDNEY — The Sidney Town Council met to discuss the HWC Engineering contract for a possible park and trail concept and comments from Sidney’s town lawyer at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24.

“They’re wanting to know … where we were thinking of (putting) a park,” said council member Rebecca Adams. 

The council noted that the contract with HWC Engineering is a possible concept for a park and trail in Sidney, with locations, routes and costs still to be decided.

“It’s not like we’re committed to anything if you don’t like it,” said Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Parrett.

Council member Sharon Rancourt brought up the information gap between discussions at the strategic planning committee and the town council meeting. “Strategic meetings are not board meetings,” said Rancourt. She noted that information shared at the strategic planning committee meetings should be shared with all the board members.

Rancourt also stated, “I think that any information that comes from the strategic (meeting) should not be brought to the next board meeting to vote on.” The council agreed that there needs to be a better flow of information.

There were concerns about the structure of the grant mentioned in the contract and the necessity of matching one to one for the cost of the project. Though the strategic planning committee plans on paying with other grants, council members agreed that grants are not guaranteed and Sidney would be required to pay the bill regardless.

Council members noted that HWC Engineering will be preparing the plans online and do not plan to come on-site to Sidney to evaluate possible sites.

The council agreed to find out more information concerning insurance costs and liability and the cost of worker’s compensation.

The council also decided to obtain at least two more quotes from different engineering firms, with possible recommendations coming from Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe.

“We need to get all the details before we make the best choice for the town,” said Rancourt.