The Bremen Town Council approved the second reading on the proposed 2018 budget when the members met Monday night.
Director of Operations Trend Weldy said that one high ticket project is in the budget for next year.
“We do have some big coming in the pipe next year. We have a one-and-a-half million dollar lift station project that we’re talking about for the wastewater department. We may sale that down and make it into two projects.”
A new welcome sign will be constructed on the west side of Bremen.
The Bremen Town Council approved the purchase of a new “Welcome to Bremen” sign. Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the current sign is in need of extensive repair and it was the council’s decision this week to replace that sign.
The Bremen Town Council may be raising the fire protection service rate on utility bills to take effect in 2018.
Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the rate increase will occur over three years.
“It’s a small increase,” stressed Weldy. “It will increase $1.10 a month starting in 2018, another $1.10 a month increase in 2019 and it’ll raise again $1.10 in 2020 to get up to where we need to be on our fire protection program.”
The Bremen Town Council approved a two-year contract for ambulance services in a special session last week.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said three companies submitted bids. Lutheran Ambulance Service submitted the low bid. The current provider, Tri-County Ambulance, withdrew its bid after the town council’s meeting on Aug. 14 so the town will have a new service after more than 10 years. Elite Ambulance submitted the third bid.
Bids for an ambulance service were opened during Monday’s Bremen Town Council meeting.
Director of Operations Trend Weldy told MAX 98.3 FM News that three service bids were received including one from the current provider. The town asked for three separate bids. One bid was for one ambulance full-time, another was for one-and-a-half and the other for two ambulances full-time. One company only bid on two of the services while the other two companies bid on all three.
The Bremen Town Council this week approved a resolution recognizing the town’s achievement of being named one of the top 20 safest cities in Indiana.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy told MAX 98.3 FM News that a celebration was held Wednesday night during the Farmer’s Market. The town council commended the police department, fire department, and EMS staff for keeping the area residents safe from harm.
The Bremen Town Council members and the Ambulance Board members have sent a notice out to collect bids for a new ambulance service.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said that the current EMS service will be given a 60-day notice around Aug. 1 in order for a new service to occupy the new building at 1237 Plymouth Street. He said the current company’s contract could be renewed if the company submits a bid approved by the town council.
The recent storm activity has left crews in Bremen cleaning up debris.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the street and utility crews have been picking up tree limbs and brush since Monday morning’s storm brought fierce winds. Thirty trees fell during the storms and work is being done to rid the area of the mess after that impact.
The Town of Bremen will receive some grant funding to assist with a housing project in the southeast side of town.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy told MAX 98.3 FM news that Marshall County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director and CEO Jerry Chavez reported to the Bremen Town Council that the funding would come from Regional Cities. Weldy anticipates funds from $50,000 to $100,000 will help with the housing development in town. The development is also being financially supported by a private investor.
The Rolling Meadows housing project will develop 15 condos and single family homes. Three out of the 53 available lots have already been sold along with two condos.
The Bremen Town Council will soon be taking bids for a new ambulance service.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said a meeting was recently held to go over what is expected with an EMS service in Bremen.
The Bremen Town Council agreed to move ahead on the project to upgrade the town’s lift stations in the spring 2018.
The plan and design phase is the next step. The council members took action to get that paperwork started this week with the hopes of bidding out the project in November or December. A bid could be awarded in January.
According to Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy, the Bremen Redevelopment Commission previously guaranteed the funds for the lift station project. The anticipated cost is around $1 million to $1.5 million.
The Town of Bremen is now focusing on work on the property at the corner of State Roads 106 and 331. The corner lot once housed a gas station.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said preliminary plans call for the demolition and clean-up of the property.
“We’re getting ready to tear out the pumps, tanks, canopy, and the building to get rid of that eyesore,” said Weldy. “We’re going to have a conversation with the state about widening the corners there on highways 106 and 331 so semis can turn easier. We’re going to approach them if they want to work on that corner.”
The Bremen Town Council members are getting closer to the point to approve a contract for a new EMS service.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the current ambulance contract will expire this summer and the council will accept bids for a new ambulance service. The council will meet with the ambulance board next week to go over specifications for a new contract. A new ambulance company is expected to be in place this fall.
The Bremen Town Council recently met with the Bremen Redevelopment Commission to discuss funding for the replacement or improvement of 16 lift stations in the wastewater system.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the redevelopment commission has guaranteed the funding for the project which is anticipated to cost between $900,000 to $1 million.
The lift stations are approximately 40 to 50 years old and need to be upgraded. Nine are located in the town’s jurisdiction while seven are in TIF areas.
The new building that houses the Bremen EMS Department and the food pantry is nearing completion.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the finishing touches are being applied to the 10,800 building the town purchased last year to house the two entities.
The electric company that provides service to the Town of Bremen may soon offer incentives for new companies and existing companies that provide plans to expand.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the Indiana Municipal Power Agency discussed the terms of the offer with the Bremen Town Council this week.
Bremen residents are invited to take part in an event to rid the town of unwanted items.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said Trash Days is set for Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13. It’s an opportunity for residents to do some spring cleaning. Throw away any property that is simply taking up space.
The Bremen Town Council now has control of the property that formally contained the Clark gas station at the corner of State Roads 331 and 106.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy says the county recently turned over the property to the town.
The Bremen Town Council received an update on the renovation of the building at 1237 Plymouth Street that now houses the food pantry and the city’s ambulance service.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said that work inside the EMS portion of the building is almost complete.
The Bremen City Council and the street department are getting ready for the summer sidewalk program.
The city council received a list of potential areas to rehabilitate this summer. Currently, 17 applications have been submitted for approval for the program. Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy told MAX 98.3 FM News that the town provides the labor for the sidewalks while the residents are responsible for the payment of concrete.
