Virginia Cline – Society Reporter
The Commercial Review
REDKEY — Town council began the new year by electing officers, appointing department heads and getting an update on the 2018 budget.

Redkey Town Council on Thursday re-elected Doug Stanley as president. Charles “Red” Coons was voted vice-president.

Stanley appointed himself to oversee the water department, Coons to the sewage department, Mike Wright to the police and fire department, Ted Friddle to the street department and Dave Dudelston to the park department. Dudelston later declined his appointment and it was given to Coons.

Clerk-treasurer Debbie James informed council that Indiana Department of Local Government Finance approved the town’s budget for 2018. It includes $426,877 in the general fund and $50,200 for the motor vehicle highway fund.

Also Thursday, Mitch Hansel of engineering firm Fleis & Vandenbrink told council the wastewater treatment plant will switch to the new clarifiers next week, with a Feb. 15 date set for all new equipment to be implemented. Also, Insituform Technologies will start a four-week process of checking on sewer lines in February.

Council approved payment of $173,789.84 for the sewer separation project and wastewater treatment plant renovation. The total includes $154,622 to Crosby Construction and $19,167.84 to Fleis & Vandenbrink.

Hansel said a $52,000 contingency and $36,000 set aside for soft costs for the project will be used to construct a garage for the wastewater treatment plant.

Town attorney Wes Schemenaur presented council with an amendment to Redkey’s personnel policy that would allow for comp time for police officers who work more than 40 hours per week.