Manley Meats receives a change of ownership

Monroe’s water work nears completion; SR 124 project next

While Monroe is about three months away from wrapping up its $2.5 million drinking water improvement project, it’s about two years away from getting a major upgrade along State Road 124 through the community, with that task to be done by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

At the February meeting of the Monroe Town Council, Ryan Brauen, a senior project manager for Wessler Engineering of Bluffton, Ohio reported that the latest payment to the James S. Jackson Co. of Bluffton, Indiana for the water project ($132,236.01) means he work is 80% done and paid for.

Completion of the job is on schedule for May 1, with the water plant now running under manual operation. Additional electrical work is to be finished, plus final work on water mains under Adams St. and in an alley behind downtown businesses.

Brauen said the next change order will involve plumbing modifications, roof work over a well, concrete patching, and installing a new well pump and motor.

The three council members also signed a new $43,000 contract with Wessler to assist the town in the INDOT project, which will have an impact on the sewer and drinking water systems and on drainage when activity begins — scheduled for 2024.

However, preliminary plans required from Monroe, using Wessler’s services, are due this summer. Council president Deb Giessler stated that a lot must be done well in advance of the actual start of any such project.

Brauen and Justin Shaffer, the town superintendent, said the most recent state plans call for INDOT to lower 124 by six inches, but pour concrete curbs and gutters along it, with repaving from US 27 to Tower Dr. and rebuilding the highway from Tower Dr. to Keller St.

Drainage water from the along the highway would go into Yellow Creek, said Shaffer, according to the INDOT plans.

Shaffer also gave several update reports : — Installation of LED streetlights in town will be done this summer. They are brighter and will last longer.

—The backwash lagoon at the water plant has been disconnected and will be examined by INDOT before the town can close it and fill it in, since it’s no longer needed.

— Electric power to the “barn” that houses town vehicles will be provided within two weeks.

— Eventually, Monroe will receive drinking water “blended” with the water that Decatur gets, since both obtain water by pipeline from the underground Teays aquifer near Berne — one of the largest in North America.

— Snow was removed after the storm and salt was spread on streets. Giessler commended the town workers for the good snow removal chores.

—The clear well was drained and cleaned. Shaffer said the well has a 200,000- gallon holding tank that sends water up to the town’s 150,000-gallon water tower.

—This spring, the inside of the tower will be washed out and cleaned, too.

Photo provided Manley Meats is excited to announce a change of ownership. As of January 1, 2022, Matt Manley, Mark Manley, JJ Everett and Jennifer DuBois are the new owners of the well known, Adams county butcher shop. Together they have over 60 years of experience with Manley Meats and the meat industry. They are thrilled for this opportunity to serve their community and the patrons of Manley Meats. It is still the same great Manley’s you have come to love…same hours, same custom processing and same outstanding service.