SHOALS, Ind. — Facing regulatory pressure over its municipal wastewater operations, the Shoals Town Council approved an engineering agreement Monday to address state environmental violations while taking steps to protect town utility infrastructure and enforce ordinances on blighted local properties.

During the regular session, council members approved a memorandum of agreement not to exceed $30,000 with HWC Engineering to prepare for an upcoming Oct. 7 formal consultation with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The town currently faces active state compliance issues concerning its municipal wastewater operations.

“We’re currently under violation with IDEM on our wastewater systems,” council officials explained. “In order to prepare for that meeting and prepare for our side so that we can ask for an extension and hopefully avoid violations, we need to have a memorandum of agreement with our engineering company and not exceed $30,000 of engineering costs.”

Town leadership noted that the conference with state regulators is scheduled for Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

In a related utility move, the council adopted Ordinance 2026-02, establishing regulatory standards for cross-contamination control on the municipal water distribution system. Council attorney Dave noted the measure had been finalized and reviewed to ensure compliance with state drinking water guidelines.

Council members also voted to create a dedicated municipal restricted fund to receive residual dollars returned from a 2021 wastewater initiative.

“We’ve also reached agreements with several parties that has to do with the funding that’s left over from the wastewater program back in ’21,” officials stated. “And we’re going to have that money sent to the town of Shoals. And I’m requesting that an account restricted fund account be set up for that for wastewater only—wastewater and maintenance.”

Officials plan to direct those recovered funds toward planned upgrades at the town’s lagoon treatment system, which is currently undergoing engineering re-review after encountering administrative delays with IDEM. The board approved naming the repository the “Wastewater Restricted Fund.”

Utility Protection and Park Personnel

Utility safety took another step forward following a safety request regarding a vulnerable fire hydrant near the Shoals United Methodist Church.

Officials reported that vehicles had repeatedly backed into the town hydrant, which features a breakaway design that requires full replacement once struck. Council members debated whether the municipality, the church, or the township should absorb the cost of installing permanent protective barriers.

“It’s a town fire hydrant. I would recommend that the town absorb the cost because it’s protecting the town’s fire hydrant,” council members agreed.

The council authorized crews to install protective steel pipe bollards around the unit. The barrier will consist of four-inch steel casing set in concrete arranged in a minimum 30-inch radius, ensuring sufficient clearance so emergency firefighters can operate hydrants without hindrance from horizontal bars.

Addressing park personnel, the council declined to approve a year-end bonus for seasonal park caretaker John Holt. The board had been asked by the ballpark board to review Holt’s pay after his contract had already been executed earlier in the season.

“The contract was made and it’s about to end anyway, so let’s just wait till the next contract and they can raise the price if they want to,” council members agreed. “John did a good job. No real question there. Contract’s about to end anyway.”

A motion to let the contract expire without an added bonus carried unanimously.

Public Events, Paving, and Fall Cleanup

The council evaluated an appeal from organizers seeking to host a local 5K road race along Spout Springs Road, with participants crossing the highway to conclude near the historic Old Town spice mill site.

Council members reaffirmed their opposition to closing town thoroughfares, noting that Spout Springs Road quickly transitions into Martin County highway jurisdiction once it passes the local grain bins. Council members suggested organizers utilize the pre-arranged, established running route utilized annually during the Shoals Catfish Festival, which operates safely alongside moving traffic.

Local police noted that while law enforcement cannot arbitrarily close county roads without commissioners’ approval, extra patrols could be deployed to monitor traffic speeds along the course.

In seasonal scheduling, the council set dates for the annual town fall cleanup. Roll-off dumpsters will be placed behind Town Hall from Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4, with final waste removal scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5. Officials noted the Town Hall location, backed by security surveillance, has successfully curtailed past illegal dumping of motor oil, automotive fluids, and tires.

The board also approved shifting town trick-or-treat hours to Friday, Oct. 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., avoiding conflicts with the school’s Fall Festival activities scheduled for Oct. 31.

Town street operations announced that paving crews would begin surface work along Second Street and Capitol Avenue starting early Tuesday morning, following recent asphalt milling operations. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes during three days of paving and approach work.

Property Maintenance, Blight, and Ordinance Enforcement

The council engaged in extensive discussion regarding abandoned structures, overgrown properties, and blighted lots throughout town limits.

Council members pointed to multiple neglected sites, including properties along Second Street, High Street, near the local funeral home, and the long-vacant commercial property historically tied to the former JC’s grocery operation. Attendees expressed frustration that trees were growing out of gutters and refuse remained abandoned outdoors following past estate liquidations.

Council Attorney Dave advised that the town’s existing property maintenance ordinance provides the legal authority necessary to take direct corrective action if property owners fail to comply after receiving statutory warnings.

“It’s up to the board to determine whether to proceed with the expense of going to court and doing what needs to be done,” the attorney explained. “I would recommend that the council start with the mowing and the cleaning up of the yards, and then you go from there. The ordinance is written so that the town can hire somebody to do it and pass along the cost. If it’s not collected that way, then the town can make a lien on the taxes. Also, the provision of the ordinance is for a $50 per day [fine].”

Officials noted that the town clerk has already documented certified letters mailed to several non-compliant owners, placing those parcels in active enforcement status. Law enforcement and town staff agreed to assemble updated photo documentation of target properties to proceed with formal abatement.

Regarding downtown seasonal decor, resident Theresa approached the council requesting that municipal holiday decorations not be hung until after Veterans Day. Theresa noted that in previous years, early installation forced the removal of patriotic flags honoring veterans along downtown streets. Council officials agreed to review the third-party holiday installation contract to ensure service dates do not displace flags prior to Nov. 11.

During public introductions, Plainville resident Tiffany Arthur introduced herself to council members and attendees, stating she is campaigning for Indiana House District 63 representing adjacent Daviess and Martin counties.

Shoals Town Hall will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, in observance of Columbus Day. The next regular Shoals Town Council meeting and 2027 budget hearing will be held Monday, Oct. 5, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the council chambers.