Ellettsville council discusses community risk reduction, SCADA upgrade and fire-protection study

Ellettsville ' The Ellettsville Town Council convened Jan. 12, elected Scott Oldham as president and Dan Swafford as vice president, and heard a range of operational updates, including a community risk-reduction presentation and infrastructure proposals.

Deputy Fire Marshal Shane Jarrett described community risk reduction (CRR) as a framework to identify and prioritize local hazards and implement programs that reduce those hazards through education, prevention and partnerships; Jarrett presented a proclamation designating Jan. 19'25 as Community Risk Reduction Week.

The council discussed replacing the wastewater-treatment plant's 1997 system-control and data-acquisition (SCADA) panel; Utilities Director Jeff Farmer said the lowest quote for the upgrade is about $105,000 and the replacement would include computers, software and licensing and allow integration of water towers and booster stations for remote monitoring.

Council members also discussed hiring Baker Tilly for a financial study to evaluate establishing a fire-protection territory between Ellettsville and Richland Township. Fire Chief Kevin Patton said that if a consolidation proceeds, the territory would be assimilated; if not, Ellettsville Fire would continue existing protection arrangements.

Council members set the next council meeting for Jan. 26.