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No more wrong-way parking in Markle

The Town of Markle is the next in line to prohibit cars parked headed the wrong way down its streets.

Town council members approved an ordinance 2-0 on its second reading Wednesday, June 17, to prohibit vehicles parked on any street or alley in which the vehicle faces in a direction opposite the flow of traffic.

Council President Jeff Humbarger was absent from the meeting.

The ordinance stipulates that violators will be assessed a $25 penalty for the first offense, $50 for the second offense within a one-year period and $100 for each subsequent offense within a one-year period.

The ordinance goes into effect immediately.

Town Superintendent Rick Asher reported that the recent heavy rain has caused a lot of problems at the wastewater plant. He said workers recently spent an entire night trying to keep the three pumps running continuously throughout the night.

“The wastewater plant will not handle the flow that comes in there,” Asher said, adding that an additional pump has been added, but still could not keep up with the flow.

The backup in the collection system has affected some properties, Asher explained. The original plant had a diversion chamber that handled such overflows, but it has since been removed and everything must now be pumped through the plant’s equalization basins, he said. In addition, about 75 manholes are under water, he said.

“We’ve been assisting a lot of residents with sandbagging,” he added. “During the last three to four days it has been a mess.”

Asher recommended the council hire an engineer to look at the plant, as well as contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to see what changes could be made and what kind of assistance the agency can provide.

“If one of the pumps go out, we would have some major issues,” he warned. “Raw sewage is going into the river when the sewage plant can’t handle it.”

The council voted 2-0 to approve up to $3,000 for an engineering study to get something done about the issue before the next council meeting, which is set for July 15.

Council members also unanimously approved a painting contract bid from L&T Painting, Inc., of Shelby Township, MI, to paint the old water tower at a cost of $140,500. The 125,000-gallon double ellipse tank will receive an exterior overcoat and miscellaneous repairs, including a wet interior cleaning, mixing system and sidewall ladder with roof platform.