Roachdale moves forward on stormwater project; council authorizes financial commitment up to $240,000

Council members reviewed preliminary drawings and a worst‑case cost estimate for the town’s stormwater and sidewalk project as part of a Community Crossing Matching Grant (CCMG) application.

John Craig of CHA said the survey work is “in full swing,” with locate calls complete and a survey crew mobilizing to map utilities, and Blake Hansen walked the board through page‑by‑page exhibits that show sidewalk replacements, tree removals and curb ramp work. Craig and Hansen emphasized that some exhibit details remain drafts and that application materials were due Wednesday; staff said the town had a late start but expected to submit.

The council discussed scope choices — including whether to pave rock frontages on Grove Street, remove trees only where roots threaten sidewalks, and whether to continue an HMA (asphalt) overlay schedule or pursue concrete on heavy‑traffic sections of Indiana Street. Blake noted prior work used 2.5 inches of intermediate HMA plus 1.5 inches of surface (four inches total) and said concrete pricing was not yet available.

To keep the application moving, the council approved Resolution 03‑2026 authorizing the council president to use electronic signatures on INDOT contract documents and then voted to authorize the council president to sign the financial commitment letter for the grant “up to $240,000.” Council members said staff will confirm a final dollar figure before submittal and that the $240,000 cap is intended to avoid missing the application deadline. "We can do up to $240,000," Clerk Debbie said when asked about available match funding.

Why it matters: the CCMG application would pair state funds with a town match and fund street resurfacing, sidewalk replacement, ADA ramps, and related stormwater work. The board’s vote gives staff the administrative authority needed to meet application deadlines but leaves final cost adjustments to the design process.