Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety Addresses JPD Fleet Concerns, Seasonal City Work

At its last meeting, the Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety addressed ongoing police vehicle issues, departmental handbook updates, and seasonal maintenance.

Police Chief Chad Dick told the board that JPD continues to have problems with its fleet and continuing repairs have been necessary. Dick thanked Assistant Police Chief Aaron Persohn for his work in ensuring that officers have working vehicles, even relinquishing his own patrol vehicle for use. He noted that Persohn’s work is often “behind the scenes” and critical to the department’s success.

The department is also busy working on updates to its handbook. Mayor Craig confirmed that his goal is to have the JPD, JFD, and Jasper Civil Handbooks together. Part of the lengthy process has been determining where the overlap of each department exists, and which department should be primarily responsible for certain items. Craig referred to the project as “a big undertaking, a lot of moving parts.”

City Engineer Chad Hurm presented an encroachment request from Paul Lehmkuhler, who would like to install a privacy fence on his property at 163 Robin Court. The departmental review was completed, and there were no objections to the request. The easement encroachment was approved by the board.

Quotes were opened for the annual tree limb and yard waste grinding contract. Seven quotes were requested and two were received. Both are considerably lower than last year’s quotes and will be taken under advisement.

In other business, Street Commissioner Jeff Theising said leaf collection season has begun. The department is picking up leaves along their route, so leaf pickup will not be on a specific day each week. Crews should be coming by each residence at least once a week.

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook.

- By Drew Hasselbring