Schererville residents will see 28% hike on their next water bill

Water consumption is getting more expensive for Schererville residents, as they will see a 28% rate increase on their upcoming bill.

The Schererville Town Council and its Waterworks Board voted in favor of the rate hike on Wednesday, passing on the increase the town received from its supplier, Indiana American Water.

Town officials said that Indiana American Water had been seeking a 50% rate increase before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), but after months of negotiation they got the increase down to an additional $3.39 per month.

Councilman Tom Schmitt, D-4th, said that based on typical residential customer water usage of 4,000 gallons per month, the cost will increase from an average of $21.81 per month to $25.20.

In another utility-related action, the town awarded bids involving a new bio-solids processing facility. Grimmer Construction was awarded a $289,000 contract to demolish the existing facility and Hasse Construction will build the new one at a cost of $4.7 million. Tom Manager Jim Gorman noted that the town had contacted 20 construction firms and received only two bids back.

Approximately $3.2 million of the funding will come from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Town of St. John, which uses Schererville’s facility, is on the hook for 30% of the costs, which equals the amount of solid waste it contributes.

The new bio-solids facility will dry-store waste products until it such time it can be placed on farmland as a source of fertilizer. Gorman described the current facility as “environmentally unsafe.”

Kennedy Avenue properties acquired

In other council action, the town pressed forward with the Kenney Avenue extension project by purchasing a pair of properties. A property at 549 Kennedy owned by Ray Buzinski had been in condemnation proceedings, but the town was able to reach a deal to purchase it for $470,000. The council also approved the purchase of a parcel at 372 W. Division Street from Ogden Welding Systems Inc. for $2,900.

Phase one of the project entails the construction of a bridge over a set of railroad tracks beginning north of Avenue H. The project also involves the widening of the road from approximately U.S. 30 to Main Street, spanning 2.46 miles.

Portions Kennedy, Joliet Street, Junction Avenue, Public Works Drive/Kaeser Boulevard, Division Street, Oak Street and Pennsy Greenway Trail will be reconstructed as part of this project. Turn lanes will be added at U.S. 30 and Main. The project will be completed in four phases between 2024 to 2026.

The council also amended its solicitation ordinance, now allowing only nonprofit organizations to solicit funding within town limits, provided they acquire the proper permitting.

Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.