Some Switz City residents will be without water during night time leak repair

SWITZ CITY -- Some Switz City residents will be without water service during night hours while a small leak at the town's water plant is repaired.

Rick Graves from Graves Plumbing informed the Switz City Town Council Monday evening that the water would be shut off for a few people when repairs are made.

Graves added that while the water is turned off, they would also replace a new valve and test the water.

"It will affect only a few people, and we will repair it at night and notify residents before we do the work," he said.

Greg Jones from Southern Indiana Development Commission (SIDC) held a public hearing during the council meeting to inform residents about the Homeowner Repair and Improvement Project . The hearing also provided citizens the opportunity to express their views on community development and housing needs, past community development and housing activities and the proposed project.

The project consists of providing a maximum of approximately $11,130.50 in the form of a forgivable loan to low/moderate income homeowners living within the town limits.

Assistance is based on household size and income. Homeowners must continue to own the home after rehabilitation for a period of two to three years, dependent on the amount of HDF funds received by the homeowner. The project will benefit approximately 10 homes in the town.

The cost of the project is $165,080. The grant amount being requested is $150,000. The local match of $10,191will be provided by banked match from the Greene County Board of Commissioners; the City of Jasonville is providing a banked match in the amount of $4,809, and the town of Switz City is providing $80, which is a 10 percent match.

Jones also informed the council that the government is asking each county to pass a multi-hazard mitigation plan before the county places it for a vote.

Jones explained that the purpose of the plan is to help prevent traumatic results from a natural disaster.

Clerk-Treasurer Carla Porter reported two problems with the new water meters. One resident who was leaving town for the winter disconnected the meter and blew air through it. Wires were cut at another resident's meter. The board stressed that each homeowner is responsible for the charge of reconnecting a meter.

In other business, council president Don Blanton reported that the town had received a reimbursement check from FEMA.

The council will close the 2008 financial books at special meeting slated for 6:30 p.m., Dec. 29. The next regular meeting is at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 5, 2009.