Sewer upgrades, holiday prep, and anti-NDA pitch top busy Spencer Town Council meeting

Wastewater upgrades, upcoming holiday festivities, and a proposal to boost government transparency topped a busy agenda for the Spencer Town Council during its Oct. 5 meeting.

Council members Jon Stantz, Evan McKalip, and Ginger Kohr were present for the hour-long session, alongside clerk-treasurer Cheryl Moke and town attorney John McKay of Hickam & Lorenz.

The council made significant headway on local infrastructure, approving an $840,035.74 pay application to advance ongoing improvements to Spencer’s sewer system.

A representative from Commonwealth Engineers updated the council on the wastewater rehabilitation efforts, reporting that tanks three and four have been successfully taken down at the sewer plant. Structural engineers inspected the infrastructure and found the tanks to be in surprisingly good condition given their age. While some residents have noted a slow pace on the ground, engineers explained that the timeline is governed by necessary equipment lead times, with digging operations expected to ramp up soon. The council also approved professional and design fee invoices associated with the project.

In additional utility business, the council authorized the $3,135 purchase of a replacement grinder pump system to keep the White Oaks lift station running smoothly. Spencer Sewer Department Superintendent Ryan Klaassen also noted that the department was investigating a recent line blockage potentially linked to third-party fiber optic installation work.

Stepping forward to champion local government openness, Jill Hudson and Heather Huntington introduced a proposal that, if considered and approved, would prohibit the town from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in future economic development deals.

The presenters emphasized that prohibiting NDAs is critical to maintaining public trust and protecting taxpayer funds. Council members expressed support for the concept, voicing their own frustrations with past requests for nondisclosure agreements. The board agreed to work with McKay to refine the ordinance language ahead of a future vote.

Holiday planning is also officially underway in Spencer. Spencer Main Street President Julie Coffin presented an event application for the organization’s annual “Christmas at the Square” celebration, which will transform downtown into a seasonal market featuring Santa’s traditional location. The council approved the event and directed the Spencer Street Department to coordinate necessary traffic barricades.

Coffin also updated the council on a transformative entryway project, proposing a Stellar Pathways program application with the Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA) centered on streetscape improvements around the town’s proposed entryway arch. After discussing the parameters and local budget alignment, the council voted to move forward with the application.

The Stellar Pathways program is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative led by OCRA. The program works with communities and regional partnerships on a shared vision for community and economic development, promotes local collaboration and assists in implementing sustainable solutions to challenges Indiana’s rural communities face. Interested applicants may apply as either a single local unit of government or as a self-determined region and partner with other local units of government, including county governments, municipalities and townships.

Additionally, the council approved a street closure request from Harvest Church for a Community Day celebration on Oct. 31 affecting Lincoln St. and Indiana Ave. from noon to 10 p.m. The event will feature free food, a pie eating contest, cornhole tournament, candy for kids, and a bounce house maze. The church is located at 691 W. Indiana Ave., at the corner of Indiana Ave. and Lincoln St.

In departmental reports, Spencer Police Department Chief Terry Sips reported that the recent Spencer Pride Festival concluded safely and without incident, while also updating the council on personnel training initiatives, including officers Zach Brock and Ryan Combs completing taser instructor certification.

Street Department Superintendent Tony Floyd noted that underground fiber installation boring crews have finished their main work phase, allowing the department to shift focus to a punch list of patching, repairs, and street cleanup.

The Spencer Town Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Spencer Municipal Building, 90 N. West St.