Category: News

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Swimming season is quickly approaching. Because your wastewater (sewer) bill is directly related to your water usage, the Sellersburg Wastewater Utility will issue a credit for filling up your pool.

Contact the Town’s Billing Office by calling (812)246-3821 opt. 1, to reserve one of the Town issued meters. Adjustments cannot be issued without the use of this meter. The number of meters available is limited so we ask you please plan head. Simply follow the steps per Town of Sellersburg Ordinance 52.02 outlined below. If you choose to wait until June, there is no need to apply for a credit using this outline as the Summer Averaging Program begins June 1st and runs through September (Ordinance 52.01)

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52.02 – Adjustments For The Filling Up Of Swimming Pools With Water

Any wastewater customer (the “Customer”) of the Town of Sellersburg, Indiana may rent a garden hose meter from the Town’s Billing Office for a 72-hour time frame to track the amount of gallons used when filling their swimming pool that will ultimately by-pass the wastewater treatment system of the Town.

Process:

1.) The wastewater customer shall visit Town’s Billing Office and execute a rental agreement, which is incorporated herewith, for a garden hose meter from the Town free of charge.

2.) The Customer shall return the meter within 72 hours and is responsible for the full replacement cost of the meter should it be returned in an inoperable manner.

3.) Failure to return the meter within 72 hours will result in a $50 per day late fee for the first two (2) days after the expiration of the 72 hour and $100 per day late fee thereafter to be paid immediately.

The water usage indicated on the meter upon its return will be calculated and applied as a wastewater adjustment on the next available billing cycle.

(Ord. 2020-OR-009, passed 6-8-20)

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52.01 – Wastewater Summer Averaging   

All residential users (as defined below) connected to the town wastewater treatment plant may be exempt from payment for certain sewer use charges only on the water not specifically discharged into the town’s sewage system under the following terms and conditions:   

(A)   In the event that water usage for the months of June, July, August, and September (“summer months”) is greater than the average amount of water used by said residential user during October, November, December, and January (“winter months”) of the preceding year, then billing for sewage service for summer months shall be based upon the average of the water usage during the winter months.   

(B)   In the event that water usage is less during the summer months as compared to the winter months, then billing shall be based upon the actual water usage in said months.   

(C)   The term RESIDENTIAL USER shall mean and apply to each lot, parcel of real estate or building which is occupied and used solely as a residence.

The summer rate does not apply to any premises, which are partially or wholly, used for commercial or industrial purposes including, but not limited to, hotels/motels, retirement/nursing home facilities, rooming house, apartment complexes, multi-family complexes, resident training or educational facilities, other commercial properties housing groups of individuals or anything similar thereto.

(Ord. 2021-OR-010, passed 4-26-21)

The Town of Sellersburg is currently soliciting applications for the position of Wastewater Team Member and Water Team Member.

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Click here for Employment Application

We will be accepting applications for this open position until noon on Wednesday April 12, 2023. Please return completed applications to Sellersburg Town Hall located at 316 E. Utica Street, Sellersburg Indiana, 47172.

Benefits include health, dental, vision, paid vacation, uniform allowance, paid holidays, and participation in the Indiana Public Retirement System.

UPDATED: 6/26/23

CLARK COUNTY, Ind.— The Indiana Department of Transportation announces an added travel and turn lanes project to begin at the intersection of State Road 60 and Poindexter Lane in Clark County. 

Beginning on or after Monday, March 6 crews will begin phase one of the project which includes the installation of signs, striping, and barrier wall. This phase is expected to last through May of this year. Impacts to traffic include: 

• Shifting traffic on S.R. 60 each direction into two 10′ travel lanes
• Reducing the speed limit on S.R. 60 through the project area to 40 mph
• Closing Poindexter Lane at S.R. 60 on or after Thursday, March 16 until both phases of the project are completed.

The detour route for Poindexter Lane will utilize Newberry Road.

Phase two of the project includes construction of underdrains, curb/gutter, and new asphalt. Work is expected to be complete in late summer. The contract was awarded to E&B Paving Inc. for $2.2 million. 

INDOT encourages drivers to consider worker safety by slowing down, using extra caution and driving distraction-free in and around all work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. 

About the Indiana Department of Transportation
INDOT continues to solidify the Hoosier State as the Crossroads of America by implementing Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s $30 billion Next Level Roads plan. With six district offices and 3,500 employees, the agency is responsible for constructing and maintaining more than 29,000 lane miles of highways, more than 5,700 bridges, and supporting 4,500 rail miles and 127 aviation facilities across the state. INDOT was recently ranked #1 in the United States for infrastructure in CNBC’s 2022 “America’s Top States for Business” ranking. Learn more about INDOT at in.gov/indot.

Customer Service
1-855-463-6848
www.indot4u.com

Understanding where your water comes from….

The Sellersburg Water Utility’s water supply comes from an underground aquifer system. None of the water used withing our utility comes directly from the Ohio River. The same is true for every local water company in Southern Indiana. Everyone in Southern Indiana who produces their own water for themselves or resell, including Sellersburg Water and Indiana American Water, has deep water wells located within different parts of the same aquifer system.

Per the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Standards, all water utilities are required to conduct daily water quality testing as part of normal operations. This is to ensure the safety of the consumable water supply. These results are provided to IDEM.

Will the chemical plume in the river impact Sellersburg Water Customers?

Because of the method and source of our raw water supply, there are currently no concerns of being impacted by the tragic accident in East Palestine, Ohio. However, as a precaution, all local water utilities are in constant communication and monitoring the situation. The health and safety of our customers is a top priority, and we will provide updates should the need arise.

If you have further questions, please email the certified Sellersburg Water Plant Operator, Shannon Starnes at sstarnes@sellersburg.org.

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IDEM Statement: On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Several rail cars ruptured, spilling vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate chemicals. Both chemicals are used in industrial processes, primarily in manufacturing plastics and resins. 

Hazardous materials teams from the Ohio and U.S. EPA’s responded quickly and took measures to contain contamination from these compounds. However, low levels of butyl acrylate have been detected in samples of the Ohio River downstream of the incident, but currently far upstream of Indiana water supply intakes along the Ohio River.

The U.S. EPA, The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and other water utilities along the Ohio River are collecting samples to assess any potential threats to drinking water.

Should levels of butyl acrylate be detected near Indiana water supply intakes, local drinking water utilities may close their intakes to allow the majority of the chemical to pass. Precautionary treatment strategies may also be used to help remove butyl acrylate through the water treatment process.

IDEM’s Office of Water Quality is in close contact with the sampling authorities to track the chemical and to ensure the safety of Indiana drinking water.

Currently, there are no immediate impacts to public drinking water sources for Indiana residents. Hoosiers along the Ohio River should be aware of and refer to future information and guidance from their water utility.

The U.S. EPA is providing regular updates on the East Palestine train derailment, available here: https://response.epa.gov/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=15933

What is EPA doing to protect drinking water sources?

• EPA is working closely with the state of Ohio to ensure that the derailment has not affected drinking water supplies.
• As you heard from Governor DeWine yesterday, the state is working with local public water systems that get their water from ground-water sources and has conducted testing to ensure they are unaffected.
• State and local health agencies are ensuring  homeowners get their private wells tested. EPA is able to assist upon request. Until test results are received, the Ohio Department of Health has recommended that residents use bottled water.
• As requested EPA continues to assist with the collection of samples from surface water for laboratory analysis and sharing those results with Ohio EPA and Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). 
• S. EPA continues to assist Ohio EPA and ORSANCO with actively monitoring the Ohio River. In addition, ORSANCO has an existing network of water monitoring devices located along the entire length of the river.
• Knowing where the “slug” of contamination is allows drinking water utilities to close water intakes as necessary. The good news is that detected levels are very low, at a level that can be treated by the water utilities.
• S. EPA is supporting our state partners and local utilities to ensure the drinking water is safe. Until all testing is completed, residents should remain vigilant and follow the guidance of the Ohio Department of Health.

Keeping a flock of chickens within Town limits is allowed, but only in certain areas, also known as “Zones”.

Maintaining a chicken flock is allowed by right within the Agricultural (AG) Zones. You can also maintain a chicken flock within the R-1 Zone by following Ordinance NO. 2014-010.

Click here for: Chickens Within R-1 Zones Ordinance

Owning and keeping chickens in all other zones is not allowed.

If you are unsure which zone your property is located in, please click here to view the Town of Sellersburg Zoning Map.

2/7/23 ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE:
Utica St. from US-31 to Schellers Ave. is closed due to a water main break. Expect this section of roadway to be closed most of the day 2/7/23.

10 Sellersburg Water Customers are impacted by this break and have been notified by Town Staff. The Water Team is currently onsite conducting repairs.

Beginning the week of January 30th, Dave O’Mara LLC will begin the long awaited watermain extension project along Ohio Avenue. This project is expected to take approximately 3 weeks. There should be minimal traffic impacts as part of this project.

Scope: A new 8″ watermain will be installed from an existing watermain on Enterprise Drive near McDonald’s, along Ohio Avenue. This watermain will tie into an existing watermain near the corner of Ohio Avenue and Carolina Avenue.

Reason: The Hill N’ Dale neighborhood is currently provided water from a single 6″ watermain that comes under I-65 from W. Utica Street that is fed from the downtown water tank. Because Hill N’ Dale is a dead-end area of the water system, there have been years of discoloration and water pressure complaints.

Why does the water become discolored to start with? Over time, due to the lack of constant flow, there is buildup of mineral deposits inside the pipes. These deposits occur when there is a reduced water demand. Back when Hill N’ Dale was designed, it was done so to be a contained water loop. The expectation was the demand for water would be enough to prevent buildups of mineral deposits. Unfortunately, this design did not work. Compounding the issue is a smaller than normal watermain supply that impacts pressure and the ability to effectively flush fire hydrants.

Outcome of the Project: The new connection at Hill N’ Dale will create a new loop within the water system that connects the Hwy 60 water tank and downtown water tank. This secondary supply will help to positively impact the long-standing issues of times of low pressure and discoloration.

Live Christmas Trees will be picked up following the New Year’s Holidays.

Place them at the curb on regular trash pickup days but be sure to remove all decorations. Also, do not put it in a plastic disposal bag. Doing so will result in a No Pick-Up.

We ask that you place them stump side towards the curb. Please do not place them in the street.

For details related to any items related to trash collection and snow clearing, please visit https://sellersburg.org/departments/streets-sanitization/

Town of Sellersburg Administrative Offices, Billing Office, Clerk-Treasurer’s Office, and Police Administrative Office will be closed the following schedule for the 2022 Holiday Season:

-December 23, 2022 (Christmas Eve Observed)

-December 26, 2022 (Christmas Day Observed)

-January 2, 2022 (New Year’s Day Observed)

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Trash Collection Schedule:

-During this holiday season, all trash collection will happen on your normal collection day.

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Utility Emergency:

-If you experience a Water or Wastewater Utility Emergency during the holidays, please call 812.246.3821 then select option 5.

Late December into January starts the typical snowstorm season here in the Town of Sellersburg. To help understand our process and how you can help during a snow event, please see the included information for details.

Snow Removal

Keeping roads, sidewalks, and parking lots clear of snow is a cooperative effort. Thank you for your help in keeping the Town of Sellersburg safe for all residents. We understand you have a life and have somewhere to be. Our goal is for Town of Sellersburg managed roadways to be cleared and safe for travel faster than all other surrounding communities.

• Crews work around the clock and in multiple shifts as needed depending on the snow event.
• In the event the snow accumulations happen when it is extremely cold, the treatment for melting may not be effective during the overnight hours due to frigid temperatures. UV radiation from sun exposure during the daytime hours will speed the melting process.  If there was an overnight snow event, please take your time in the morning as the roads may have been treated but slick spots may still happen. 

How Does the Town Handle Snow Removal?

The Town begins preparing for snow long before the first flakes hit the ground. When weather conditions are appropriate, crews apply a brine liquid to roadways before forecasted snow/icy conditions. We manufacture our own brine and apply it with our homemade spreading tanks.

As snow fall accumulates, we have the Town broken down into 3 separate assigned areas where teams begin working. Where possible, the teams will clear a single road in one pass using multiple trucks in a staggard pattern. We use a mix of our F-250’s and dump trucks that have been outfitted with plows and salt spreaders. The teams will stage at the start of the snow event and begin clearing once accumulation begins. They will then go nonstop until the storm passes and all roads are clear, treated, and safe.

If you are on the roads during a snow event and see our snowplows coming towards you in a neighborhood, PLEASE give them the right of way.

Snow accumulations at the curb caused by Town plows are unavoidable. Please understand that work crews cannot stop to clear driveways as this occurs.

Once we get roads clear and safe, crews come back around to clear storm drains to assist during the melt process and prevent ponding in roadways.

How Can You Help?

Parking

• On street parking can slow the snow removal process. If you typically park in the street but have somewhere off the street to park when snow is forecast (such as a driveway), you are asked to do so. This will allow crews to better clear the roadways. In addition, parking the additional vehicle in your driveway will make clearing your driveway easier because the snow never reaches your driveway.
• If you have nowhere to park EXCEPT for in the street, please park as close to the curb as possible.
• If snow falls when you are supposed to be putting your trash cans out for collection, DO NOT place your trash cans &/or recycling in the street. Please place trash cans approximately 3ft behind the curb. The Town trash truck has an extendable arm that will be able to reach it.

Driving During a Snow Event

• If at all possible, we ask that you stay off the roadways during a snow event. This will allow us to more quickly clear roadways. In addition, should you have a “slide off” or other accident, response time could be diminished due to the storm.
• If you are driving and see Town vehicles clearing the roadway, please pull over and out of the way to allow them to pass. This will aid in speeding up the clearing process.
• If you do have to drive during or immediately after a snow event, please let someone know where you are going and expected arrive time. Also be sure to take appropriate precaution to have provisions in your vehicle should you become stuck. Depending on the snow event, emergency response time could be diminished due to road conditions.  

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