Spencer Council approves project bid, commercial records ordinance

The Spencer Town Council moved forward with a significant infrastructure investment during its regular meeting on March 16, awarding a multi-million dollar bid for the first phase of a local wastewater project.

Drew Flamion of Commonwealth Engineers presented the council with four bids received Feb. 17 for Phase 1 of the wastewater project. The council voted to accept the lowest bid of $7,777,777 from Graves Construction, pending final funding.

Additionally, the council approved an amendment to the project scope that removed certain wetland requirements while adding the necessity of securing easements on BBP Water Corporation property. This adjustment is expected to result in a net savings of $2,000.

In legislative action, the council unanimously passed Ordinance 2026-04, which prohibits the use of public records for commercial purposes. While the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) grants citizens the right to inspect government information, state law also allows municipalities to restrict the use of these records if they are being leveraged for profit.

The council determined that fulfilling commercial requests—such as those intended to sell merchandise or solicit services—exhausts significant taxpayer money and administrative resources without serving an essential function of representative government.

Under the new regulations, the Town of Spencer now has the authority to refuse a records request if officials reasonably believe the information will be used for commercial gain. However, the ordinance carves out specific protections for the public interest; these restrictions do not apply to the preparation or publication of news, nonprofit activities or academic research. This measure ensures that while commercial entities cannot profit from public data, transparency remains intact for journalists, researchers and charitable organizations.

Passed unanimously on March 16, the ordinance supersedes any previous conflicting local laws. It remains in full effect following its adoption and official publication by the town clerk-treasurer. Any legal rights or penalties incurred prior to this adoption will still be handled under previous ordinances, ensuring a clear transition as the town implements these new privacy and resource protections.

The council also addressed property management, approving a corporate warranty deed to transfer the former Riddle Tractor Sales property parcels located along West Morgan Street. These properties will be transferred from the Town to the Spencer Redevelopment Corporation.

Julie Coffin appeared before the council to coordinate upcoming Spencer Main Street activities.

The Sixth Annual Tailgate Sale on the Square is scheduled for April 25 (with a rain date of May 2) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. East Market Street will be closed between Main and Washington streets to accommodate the event.

Coffin also raised concerns regarding approval for the garden "triangle" at East Morgan Street and North Fletcher Avenue. Although Coffin said she had provided all the required documents to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), she was told by the state agency that similar requests usually come from municipalities. Council President Jon Stantz noted he would contact INDOT to help move the request forward.

Spencer Police Department Chief Terry Sips received council approval for an appointment letter to serve on the Owen County Community Correction Advisory Board and the Juvenile Recidivism Advisory Committee.

Acting on a recommendation from Sewer Department Superintendent Ryan Klaassen, the council approved an $8,319 quote from Indiana Pump Works to replace a pump at the State Road 43S lift station.

Street Department Superintendent Tony Floyd reported the loss of two town trees due to recent windstorms and noted a hazardous, half-fallen tree on South East Street. He also informed the board that the street sweeper was involved in an accident.

Regarding the Owen Valley Fire Territory, a salary ordinance pertaining to the Fire Territory was officially accepted.

Looking ahead, councilman Stantz reported that Mainstream Fiber Networks is expected to begin installing fiber in the area around Aug. 1, with a completion goal of Dec. 31. The council also began preliminary discussions regarding the future of town parking meters, seeking feedback on whether to maintain or remove them.

The Spencer Town Council will meet again on Monday, April 6 and Monday, April 20. Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St., Spencer.