Work on Monroe’s Caler and Andrew Street project is moving ahead again after crews encountered a shallow gas main that briefly slowed construction. Officials said NIPSCO is expected to return around the 17th or 18th to resolve the issue, which will allow sidewalk work, widening, and resurfacing to continue. Council members noted that nearby residents were mostly patient during the temporary loss of parking and said the finished stretch is already drawing positive comments.
The town is also preparing its next CCMG application. Staff plan to meet with Brad and his team next week to review progress and assemble the grant package within the 30‑day window. Alley improvements wrapped up for the season, marking the final round of chip‑seal work. The contractor told the town that next year’s emulsion layer may complete the chip‑seal program entirely. After that, the town hopes to begin milling older asphalt alleys and rebuilding their surfaces.
Lead service line verification will resume the week of the 21st using a reserved vac trailer. Crews expect to work long days to finish while the equipment is available. Some water lines still cannot be located, and those will be addressed as the project continues. Survey teams revisited earlier work to ensure nothing was missed.
The town is also weighing options for a buggy lane or BM designation after hearing that earlier plans may be reconsidered. Street‑light decisions remain unresolved as well. Officials said the town can purchase its own lights and place them on a tariff, but a meter requirement may need to be removed to simplify billing.
Force‑main performance has improved since a blockage was cleared, though officials still are not sure what caused the issue. The town is exploring pipe‑scanning technology that uses small balls pumped through the line to detect sediment, narrow spots, or air pockets. One company’s equipment may not fit the pipe size, but another vendor offers a smaller option. Cost estimates are expected at the next meeting.
Stormwater work with Christopher Burke and the Maumee River Basin Commission is underway, with both virtual and onsite meetings scheduled. The town is also investigating recurring issues at the west‑side lift station during heavy rain. Officials said sump pumps and downspouts may be contributing to excess flow and suggested hiring a third‑party inspector, similar to work done in 2017. They noted that the town’s ordinance outlines fines for violations, though enforcement is not the primary goal.
Hydro‑flushing is scheduled for October 5–9, and heavy trash pickup will run September 28 through October 2. Notices will be posted on Facebook, at local businesses, and on the bulletin board.
The fire department reported eight calls last month—one structure fire, one gas‑meter test, and six medical runs. The department thanked the town for use of a dump truck during its fundraiser and said EMA is discussing future siren maintenance costs. The county currently has $8,000 set aside for siren work, and towns may eventually share in upkeep expenses. Monroe’s siren is functioning, but long‑term costs are unknown.
Council members also reviewed police department requests, including additional body cameras and potential vehicle needs. Pricing details for the cameras were discussed, though some figures in the transcript were unclear. Officials agreed more information and quotes will be required before any decisions.
Budget preparation continued, with staff noting a 3% raise across departments and a higher initial estimate to avoid being unable to adjust upward later. Council members requested last year’s itemized budget for comparison.