NEW ALBANY — JB Hawkins got the answer he has been looking for Tuesday at the New Albany Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Hawkins has appeared before the board numerous times to complain about the pothole patch performed earlier this year in front of his home at 1309 E. Main St. He said areas of the pavement are now uneven and when semi-trucks drive over the uneven payment, damage is done to his 160-year-old home. He said the inside of his house vibrates.

Hawkins told the board Tuesday that after much research, the pothole patch work did not meet the Indiana Department of Transportation Standard Specifications requirements, and said the contractor should be held liable for the work and replace it.

John Rosenbarger, public works projects supervisor for the city, said he will ask engineers from Jacobi, Toombs & Lanz Inc., to look at the specs and the work completed in the next couple of weeks to see if Hawkins’ complaint has merit.

Hawkins said he hopes once the engineers look at the pothole patch work and see that it did not meet INDOT standards, that it will be repaired.

“I ask that the permanent patches be reworked in some way,” Hawkins told the board.

Work to repave Main Street is expected to begin some time next year.



Paving bid picked

The board accepted a bid from TSI Paving for $19,750 to replace existing sidewalks and curbs along East Third Street.



Spring Street to close

The board approved a request from the New Albany Track Club to close Spring Street at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 6, the day of the Harvest Homecoming parade, for an elementary race.

The race would begin at Bank Street and would travel up to East 13th Street and back — about one mile.

Sherri Knight, New Albany Police Department chief, said she would not be able to furnish officers at every intersection along the route due to costs, but would provide a unit at Spring and 13th. The club will have volunteers along the route and also provide liability insurance for the event.

Organizers hope the race becomes an annual event to give young runners the thrill to race down Spring Street in front of spectators. The Harvest Homecoming Parade begins at noon.



Sidewalk repair requested

Jason Austin, pastor at Victory Lighthouse Church at 203 Cherry St., asked the board if they could repair an uneven section of sidewalk in front of his church, which he said is a hazard. He said to date, six people have tripped and fell due to the uneven sidewalk.

Street Commissioner Mickey Thompson said the work to replace the section can be done in-house and bids would not be needed.



State Street lane closure

The right lane of State Street in front of the Wesley Chapel Commons area will be closed during the day, for up to two weeks, to work on sidewalks and curbs for the new commercial development.



Medical insurance costs flat

Edward Culpepper “Pepper” Cooper with Neace Lukens told the board there will be no medical insurance increase this year for employees thanks to a rebate received due to the national Affordable Care Act, which will pay for the 3 percent increase.



Yard sale approved

The board approved a request from Jacqueline Middleton to host a yard sale at the old farmers market at the corner of Oak Street and Scribner Drive on Saturday.



Shriners to hold road block

The board also approved a request from the Kosair Shriners to conduct a roadblock at the intersection of Silver and Spring streets Sept. 14-15 and Oct. 12-13.