Official Town Newsletter for the Citizens of Brownsburg Spring 2013

Town Looks to Annex 4,500 Acres

At a special meeting in March, Brownsburg Town Council moved to pursue the annexation of 1,200 unincorporated parcels contiguous to the municipality’s northern corporate limit. The proposed annexation would increase the Town’s population by 3,000 residents and add approximately $273 million in assessed value.

By annexing the proposed Brownsburg North Annexation area, the Town of Brownsburg will better be able to plan for and manage the community’s future growth and development. Bringing the area into town limits will allow the municipality to design key infrastructure projects, such as transportation, water and sewer improvements that will lead to better and more managed growth.

The area encompasses nearly 4,500 acres including the Highland Green, Highland Springs, Windridge and Eaker subdivisions.

Continued on Page 2

From the Town Manager’s Office

Over the past few years, we have seen the effects of a slow national economy, including unemployment, foreclosures and vacant storefronts. People are spending less, leading to retail and other businesses struggling to keep the doors open.

In our slow economic climate, it is more important than ever that residents shop locally. Shopping in local stores offers many benefits to the community and the Town. Local sales generate important tax revenues such as property tax from the

buildings housing retail/restaurant establishments and Food & Beverage Tax. These revenues are used by the Town to fund vital services such as police, keeping our street lights on to keep our neighborhoods safe, and the operational costs of snow plowing, stree and park maintenance, and emergency dispatch.

If you spend your money on purchases in other communities like Avon, Plainfield or Indianapolis, you are providing those communities with funding to pay for their important services.

Shopping local helps keep local residents employed. Purchasing goods and services locally will yield stronger local businesses enabling owners to hire more employees, expand product lines and invest in their buildings aesthetics. The more dollars spent local leads to outside retailers seeing Brownsburg as a “hot spot” for activity. Local spending, investment and sales create a cyclical environment in which communities prosper. Local customers gain greater access and receive better quality goods and services.

Shopping local helps us preserve Brownsburg’s unique character. Many merchants in Town are locally owned family businesses that set our community apart from others. The Town supports local ownership and taking pride in your business and community.

Brownsburg has many quality stores, restaurants and businesses that need your support. Before you go grocery shopping in Avon, order electronics online, or go clothes shopping at Metropolis Mall, please give our local stores and shops a chance before you look outside our community. This will ensure that our local economy is strong and continues to grow and bring us all additional opportunities. So remember these three words, “Shop local first!”

In T

his

Issu

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Capital Projects Update 2

Tap Fee Increase 2

Town Image 3

Employee of the Year 3

Summer Concerts 4

Parks Provides B.A.S.E. 4

Farmers Market 5

Town Communications 5

CSO Public Notice 6

Rain Barrel Giveaway 7

WWTP Excellence Award 7

Town Calendar 8

Grant Kleinhenz @BrownsburgTM

Annexation, cont. from Page 1 Brownsburg Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz said, “This proposal helps secure our community’s future and partially realizes the vision of the Consolidation plan presented in 2012. Bringing the proposed annexation area into the Town enables us to continue growing, with deliberate planning and zoning to make sure developments best reflect the character of Brownsburg and the interests of its residents.”

Town leaders understand that residents will have questions, concerns and potentially, objections about annexation and have placed an emphasis on making available information about how those in the proposed annexation areas will be affected and what municipal services will benefit them.

The Town of Brownsburg’s website, www.brownsburg.org, offers details about the proposed annexation, including a map of the area, financial impact scenarios, and answers to frequently asked questions. The fiscal plan outlining the costs associated with the proposed annexation is available on the website or to view in the Town Manager’s office at Town Hall, 61 N. Green Street.

A public hearing on the matter will be held on May 16, and there will be a number of opportunities for public comment throughout the process. Interested individuals may subscribe to the Brownsburg North Annexation e-newsletter, follow @BrownsburgIN on Twitter, or like the Facebook.com/TownOfBrownsburg page for timely updates.

Capital Projects Improve Local Roads and Utilities

US 136 and Odell Street Intersection: Construction is underway for the realignment and signalization of the US 136/E. Main and Odell Street intersection. The design will include improved right-hand turning radii at corners and increased turn lane lengths. Odell north and south is closed to traffic and US 136 will have lane restrictions throughout the project, which is expected to be complete in June.

Tilden/Southside Drainage: This project involves separation of the combined sanitary/storm sewer in the area of S. Green Street and Tilden Drive to help relieve demands on the sanitary system during wet weather events. Construction of the sewer trunk line requires street replacement along Tilden Drive including curbs and gutters, curb inlets and manholes. The contract was issued to GRW and right-of-ways have been acquired. Utility relocation is expected to start this spring. Water Treatment Plant: Construction of the 3.2MGD water plant in Arbuckle Acres is nearly complete. It will replace the existing plant that is more than 40 years old. The new plant will go on line this spring after which the old plant will be demolished. Parking at Arbuckle Acres continues to be restricted at this time.

Northfield East and West: Improvements to Northfield Drive East and West will begin this summer. The project will include new travel and turn lanes, intersection improvements, widening the existing multi-use path and filling in any gaps of the existing path, plus patching/resurfacing existing travel lanes. Northfield West will be bid in June, and Northfield East later in the year. Each section is expected to take 18 months to complete.

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Town Council Approves Tap Fee Increase to Avoid Lost Revenue

Brownsburg Town Council recently voted in favor of a small fee increase for new taps, due to rising costs in equipment and inflation.

The Town had 108 new meter sets last year and subsidized nearly $21,000 in tap fees. The increase in the cost of meter pit lids, rings, and brass fittings had not been passed on to the customer in several years, and the existing fee was nearly $200 less than the actual cost to install a 3/4-inch tap.

The fee increase will apply to new developments and businesses that connect to Brownsburg water utilities. A current resident would only incur the increased cost if they voluntarily upsized their water meter.

The tap fee increase does not change water bill rates for existing Brownsburg water customers.

Attention Homeowners Associations!Town of Brownsburg staff representatives are available to discuss Town ordinances, stormwater guidelines, and projects of interest to your neighborhood. Call 858-6029 for information.

Town Council Appoints New Officials to Boards & Commissions

Brownsburg Town Council elected officers and made several new appointments to the municipality’s boards and commissions for 2013.

The council re-elected Dwayne Sawyer as council president and Gary Hood will serve as vice-president. Sawyer will represent the council to the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership and Hendricks County Solid Waste District board, filling a seat vacated by Rob Kendall.

Council member Don Spencer was appointed to serve as the Town Council liaison to the Police Commission. Dave Richardson will represent the council on the Brownsburg Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the Fire Territory executive board, and the Hendricks County Communications Center.

Kendall and Hood were named Town Council representatives on the Redevelopment Commission. Brad Stutler will be a new face on the RDC with reappointments Shane Dunigan and Sean Benham.

Tom Lacey was reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Phil Utterback and Jennifer Morris joined the Park Board and Michael Klitzing was reappointed. Eric Cottingham joins the Advisory Plan Commission.

Stan Comer was reappointed to the Police Commission and Terry Smith will complete the term formerly held by long-time member Thomas Garrison.

Town Council and Brownsburg boards and commissions meetings are held regularly at Town Hall, 61 N. Green Street, and are open to the public. Live video of the meetings is streamed on the internet and archived on the Town’s website, www.brownsburg.org.

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Brownsburg Rotary Honors Town Employee of the Year

Maintenance Technician Dave Albertson has been named the Town of Brownsburg’s Employee of the Year.

Albertson was honored by the community and his co-workers at an awards luncheon hosted annually by the Brownsburg Rotary Club.

Employee of the year candidates are nominated by their peers. Albertson’s nomination included high praise for his ability to find practical solutions and willingness to get any job done no matter what it takes. Statements described

Albertson as “always pleasant and cheerful,” and “willing to give a hand no matter how busy he is.”

Brownsburg Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz said, “Dave is a hard working employee, who really goes above and beyond his regular duties. It’s so nice that Brownsburg Rotary provides this opportunity for the Town to recognize outstanding employees like Dave.”

Dave Albertson

Town of Brownsburg

@BrownsburgIN

Wayfinding & Landscaping Projects Help Polish Brownsburg’s Image

Town of Brownsburg officials and administration are putting a renewed emphasis on improving the appearance and image of the community to potential new residents and businesses that are considering Brownsburg as a location.

The 2013 budget provides funding for key local road projects, the redevelopment of vacant and deteriorating property, and the revision of standard details to include image enhancement standards such as power line burial and decorative lighting.

The Town is also investing in wayfinding signage, landscaping projects, decorative street lights, and avenue banners to help put our best foot forward when welcoming visitors and potential new residents to our community.

These improvements will create a more consistent look and feel throughout town and provide a friendlier gateway for visitors as they enter Brownsburg and make their way around town.

CONNECT WITH US!

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Brownsburg Parks Will Offer Active Youth Services Year-round

Brownsburg Parks has been awarded the opportunity to operate the latchkey services for the Brownsburg Community School Corporation starting in the 2013-2014 school

year at Brown, Cardinal, Delaware, Eagle, Reagan and White Lick Elementary Schools.

For children in kindergarten through 5th grade, Before and After School Enrichment (B.A.S.E.) will provide participants with structured options to grow throughout the school year. Brownsburg Parks will center B.A.S.E. around academic assistance, enrichment and physical activity.

Parents can expect a commitment from Brownsburg Parks to offer a program that not only takes into account the interests of the participants but also provides an environment of active learning and development.

B.A.S.E. will provide accessible staff ready to talk about your child’s experience and who care about what your child gets out of the program with safety as their number one priority, convenient ways to register for the program that fits each family’s busy schedule, and the most activity for the best value.

Registration begins May 2 for B.A.S.E. and Brownsburg Parks’ summer programs.

Summer Camps for tots to teens are available now for registration. More details on the program and registration are available at www.brownsburgparks.com or in the Parks administrative office at Town Hall, 61 N. Green Street between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Brownsburg Parks is looking for dedicated, enthusiastic, and active individuals to be a part of the new B.A.S.E. team, providing competitive pay, flexible schedules and the opportunity to shape Brownsburg youth’s future! Anyone interested in applying can find information on www.brownsburg.org, under Human Resources.

For more details, email play@brownsburgparks.com or call us at 858-4172.

Follow us for Brownsburg Parks news

and info!

YARD SALESpring cleaning is just around the corner! Get rid of all your unwanted items at Brownsburg Parks Spring Community Yard Sale.

Vendors from the community can bring their unwanted treasures to Town Hall Municipal Complex, providing high visibility for the items on sale. No food or drinks can be sold.

8 to noon on Saturday, May 4 at Town Hall

Resident Rate: $15/Regular Rate: $20

*New this year to the spring yard sale, some of Indy area's finest food trucks!

concert seriesSUMMER

June 9 Jeffery JamesJune 23 Cook & BelleJuly 4 Indy Jazz Orchestra *Special Time 7:45 pmJuly 14 Parrots of the CaribbeanJuly 28 Midnight Special

THURSDAYS 5-7 PMon the

TOWN HALL LAWN

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Shop Local at the Brownsburg Farmers Market

Brownsburg residents will be able to enjoy locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, and more when the Farmers Market returns to Town Hall this summer. Presented by IU Health West and the Town of Brownsburg, the popular market will continue to run on Thursday afternoons on the Town Hall lawn.

Operating hours will change to 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., one hour later than in previous years, to accomodate more residents who have afternoon activities with their children or a long work commute.

The first market day is June 6, and the season will kick off with live entertainment and kids activities hosted by Brownsburg Parks. Performances and demonstrations will be a new feature at the market this season.

Brownsburg Farmers Market continues through September 5, with no market on July 4. Vendors interested in booth space to sell their goods should contact the market master Paula Alkire via email at treehouse1@tds.net.

Entertainers, performers and artists who would like a showcase may contact Meegan Morgan at mmorgan@brownsburg.org. Acts will receive a complimentary booth space for their groups, but must supply your own equipment. Watch the Town website, www.brownsburg.org, for more details as they unfold.

Town Strives to Improve Communications for Residents, Visitors and Business

You have probably heard Town leaders talk about the emphasis we are placing on government transparency. We hope that you have also seen evidence that we are giving effective communications more than just lip service.

The Town provides many ways for residents and others to stay informed. Please join us at public meetings like Town Council or for the new bi-monthly Town Hall format meetings. If you can’t attend a public meeting in person, watch live or archived video of the proceedings online at www.brownsburg.org.

There are a number of e-newsletters for our community, including monthly missives from the Town and from Brownsburg Parks. There is a simple sign-up form on our website.

Follow @BrownsburgIN on Twitter and like TownofBrownsburg on Facebook for frequent news and information updates. And for a unique insider’s view of Town Hall, follow both the Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz, @BrownsburgTM, and the Assistant Town Manager Brian Hartsell, @Brownsburg_ATM, on Twitter.

And finally, tune in to XRB Radio’s Plain Speaking show on Saturday mornings to hear council members and administration talk about current events. We sincerely hope that you will be a part of the dialogue!

Water and Wastewater Plants Save with Energy Efficiency Grant

The Town of Brownsburg received a matching grant of $72,235 in 2011 from the Indiana Office of Energy Development to retrofit its water and wastewater treatment plants with energy efficient equipment.

The water department replaced two 22-year-old 100-horsepower high service pump motors with premium efficiency motors fitted with variable frequency drives. The Town installed premium efficiency motors in place of the wastewater department’s 60-horsepower blower motor that supplies air to the wastewater treatment plant’s sludge holding tank; four 25-year-old 50-horsepower electrical motors at the East Plant pretreatment facility; and 12 40-horsepower motors that operate oxidation ditches.

Since the upgrades were made, the Town has seen a significant decrease in electricity use at the water and wastewater treatment plants and has saved more than $18,000 on the plants’ power bills.

presented by

THURSDAYS4:30 to 7:30 pmJune 6 — Sept. 5

Town Hall

FARMERS MARKET

Combined Sewer Overflow Public Notice

The Town of Brownsburg, as part of the combined sewer overflow (CSO) notification program, hereby states that the potential for a combined sewer overflow into White Lick Creek during, and immediately following, any rain event or snow melt exists throughout the year. People who swim, wade in, or ingest the water contained in White Lick Creek at any time may become ill.

Wastewater discharges are disinfected during the months of April through October. All individuals should remain clear of White Lick Creek during the winter months regardless of the weather. The overflow discharges are located downstream of Arbuckle Acres, but upstream of Williams Park.

Individuals with property along White Lick Creek between Brownsburg and Plainfield may request a warning sign be posted along the creek bank of their property. For additional information or warning signs call 852-1114.

The combined sewer overflow storage facility continues to capture the majority of rain events as anticipated. There are discharges occurring on occasion as the result of intense heavy rainfalls. Data is gathered during each event to determine what additional requirements may need to be met. Ultimately, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) requires that either discharges receive full treatment or a community reduces their discharges to zero.

Brownsburg has reduced the number of overflow events from 27 in 2009 to 3 in 2012. The volume also was reduced from a total of 27,956,112 gallons overflowing into White Lick Creek in 2009 to 3,332,000 gallons overflowing during 2012. This is an 89 percent reduction in the number of events and a reduction of 88 percent in the volume overflowing into the waterway.

Brownsburg is continuing to minimize the number and volume of these events by maximizing flows to the treatment plant and moving forward with stormwater separation projects. As customers to the sanitary sewer system, you can help by verifying your downspouts and sump pumps are not connected to the sanitary sewer. There are some locations in Brownsburg that do not have an alternative connection for their downspouts/sump pumps. Those customers can help minimize overflows and the need for additional overflow tanks by using rain barrels or other rain reuse alternatives.

Combined Sewer OverflowsMonth 2011

Events2012

Events2012 Total Gallons

per month July 0 0 0

August 0 0 0

September 2 2 2,309,000

October 0 0 0

November 0 0 0

December 2 0 0

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Recycle Events Divert e-waste from Indiana Landfills

In January, the Town of Brownsburg offered area residents and businesses a safe way to dispose of unwanted electric and electronic devices after the holiday season. Because so many of us give or receive electronics as holiday gifts, the Town wanted to offer an easy way to get rid of old, unwanted devices.

At the convenient drive-through event, community members dropped off devices including old cell phones, computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, and satellite TV equipment.

Getting area residents to recycle e-waste instead of putting it in the trash keeps electronic equipment from leaking hazardous substances into the landfills and, in the long-term, protects our water quality.

The Town will continue to provide free recycling opportunities, with another event planned for this fall. Targeted primarily for hard to recycle items, the event last September collected more than 10.5 tons of computers, office equipment, appliances, electronics and other recyclables.

Since holding its first town-wide recycling event in 2010, the Town of Brownsburg has helped divert more than 60 tons of waste - from paper and plastics to hazardous household products, appliances and electronics - that might otherwise go to Indiana landfills, reducing leaching and streams of toxic chemicals from water treatment processes.

WWTP Develops New Sewer Cleaning Notices

Brownsburg’s Wastewater Department has developed a new notice for residents that may be impacted by sewer cleaning. Homes will receive a door hanger letting the occupants know what to expect while the sewer mains in their neighborhood are being inspected and cleaned.

Whenever sewer maintenance is planned, notice is always posted on the Town’s website, www.brownsburg.org, and on it’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Rain Barrels Help Save Water and Money

Looking for ways to save on your water bill? Want to do something good for the environment? An old-fashioned rain barrel may be just the solution. More and more homeowners and gardeners are using this low-tech contraption to save money and keep their lawns and gardens green.

Watering the lawn and garden accounts for nearly 40 percent of total household water use in summer. Just a small amount of rain — less than half an inch — can easily fill a 50 gallon rain barrel.

Homeowners can save about 1,300 gallons of water in peak warm weather months.

A rain barrel is usually made from a 55-gallon drum placed below the downspout of a roof gutter. The barrel collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise run off into storm drains and streams. Water runoff contributes to flooding and carries dirt and pollution into storm sewers and eventually into our streams and lakes. But if it’s filtered by vegetation and soaks into the ground, the water quality improves.

Collected rainwater doesn’t contain chloride, lime, or calcium so the free “soft water” is great for gardens, lawns, and plants and even to wash cars or top a swimming pool.

Collecting rainwater might sound old-fashioned, but the practice is quickly becoming a popular way to save money and protect our natural resources.

Brownsburg Water Customers Get Chance to Win a Rain Barrel

The Town of Brownsburg is offering its water customers a way to save money and do something good for the environment while watering their lawns and gardens. From now through June, every Brownsburg utility customer who signs up for e-billing or auto payments on their water bills will be entered for a chance to win a rain barrel.

Customers who choose e-billing elect to no longer receive paper bills through the mail, but enjoy the convenience of getting their monthly Brownsburg utility bill via email. Customers who sign up for ACH automatic payments can skip the trip to Town Hall or the post office by having their water payment automatically deducted from their checking account each month.

Customers can sign up for either or both electronic services on the Town’s website, www.brownsburg.org, or at the Utility Department on the first floor of Town Hall, 61 N. Green Street. Call 852-1102 with questions.

The Town of Brownsburg’s rain barrels are available thanks to a Community Grant from the Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District. One drawing will be conducted each month, March through June.

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Wastewater Treatment Plant Wins Laboratory Excellence Award

The Brownsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant received a Laboratory Excellence Award at the 76th Annual Conference of the Indiana Water Environment Association (IWEA) held from November 14-16, 2012 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The Laboratory Excellence Award is awarded for outstanding achievement in the implementation of laboratory technique and administration. The awards may be given to municipal facilities for each classification. Candidates for the award are determined by the Laboratory Committee and are based upon a graded evaluation of each laboratory that requests a site evaluation.

Call Stormwater Hotline to Report Illicit Discharge

It is unlawful to deposit, discharge, dump or otherwise permit substances, chemicals, or other materials in any storm sewer system within the Town of Brownsburg.

Materials prohibited include but are not limited to: petroleum products, fertilizer, concrete, pet waste, paint, grass clippings, car wash water, and pool water (>1 ppm of chlorine).

Call the Stormwater Hotline at 852-1121 if you see someone depositing any of the above materials in the storm sewer system, pond, stream, or creek, or have questions about a possible illicit discharge. All calls are confidential.

Kathy DillonWastewater Supt.

CA

LE

ND

AR

www.brownsburg.org

61 N. Green StreetBrownsburg, IN 46112

TOWN OF BROWNSBURG CONTACTS AND HOURSAll Town Offices are open Monday - Friday

General Information: 852-1120 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Street Department: 852-1113 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Brownsburg Parks: 858-4172 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Utility Department: 852-1102 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Planning and Building: 852-1128 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Water Department: 852-1138 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Note: Town departments and offices are closed 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. the last Friday of each month.

July

4 Town Offices Closed for Independence Day

4 Summer Concert Series, 7:45 p.m. at Town Hall

8 Board of Zoning Appeals, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

11 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

14 Summer Concert Series, 5 p.m. at Town Hall

18 Economic Dev. Comm., 5 p.m. at Town Hall

18 Park Board, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

22 Plan Commission, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

25 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

28 Summer Concert Series, 5 p.m. at Town Hall

August6 Town Hall Meeting, 7:30 a.m. at Town Hall

8 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

12 Board of Zoning Appeals, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

15 Economic Dev. Comm., 5 p.m. at Town Hall

19 Park Board, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

22 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

26 Plan Commission, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

May

4 Community Yard Sale, 8 to noon at Town Hall

9 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

13 Board of Zoning Appeals, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

16 Economic Dev. Comm., 5 p.m. at Town Hall

16 Annexation Public Hearing, 6 p.m. at Town Hall

16 Park Board, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

23 Motorsports Celebration, 5-8 p.m. at Town Hall

23 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

27 Town Offices Closed for Memorial Day

28 Plan Commission, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

June4 Town Hall Meeting, 7:30 a.m. at Town Hall

9 Summer Concert Series, 5 p.m. at Town Hall

10 Board of Zoning Appeals, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

13 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

20 Economic Dev. Comm., 5 p.m. at Town Hall

20 Park Board, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

24 Plan Commission, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

27 Town Council, 7 p.m. at Town Hall

27 Summer Concert Series, 5 p.m. at Town Hall