GOSHEN — The Goshen City Board of Public Works and Safety approved several road and lane closures at Monday’s meeting, including the final stages of a remediation project with 7-Eleven at the corner of West Jackson Street and South Main Street.

The closure will shut down the west lane of Wilson Avenue and shut down West Jackson Street and the alleyway entrances along that street completely for several periods of time in August and September, according to a memo to the board members.

The closures begin Wednesday with West Jackson Street closed for the day, according to the memo. West Jackson will again be closed from Monday, Sept. 17 to Friday, Oct. 5, though the alleyways will be open for trash services, according to Peter Hollatz, an engineer with the project. Wilson Avenue will experience lane closures from Monday, Sept. 24 to Friday, Sept. 28.

The board members also approved the closure of the 700 block of Emerson Street for the Shanklin Millrace Neighborhood Association Block Party on Sept. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to a memo.

Firefighters aim to fill boots for research

The members of the Board of Works heard from Cory Wortinger with the firefighter Local 1443 for a fundraiser collection at two intersections Saturday.

Wortinger said the firefighters will be collecting money at the intersections of Indiana Avenue and Lincoln Avenue and College Avenue and 15th Street for muscular dystrophy research.

Mayor Allan Kauffman said he approves of this practice, but said he worries that many organizations might step forward to request permission to fundraise at intersections.

“We’re trying to get with other businesses,” Wortinger answered, “so that we don’t have to continue with the intersections. Something like standing in front of Wal-Mart with our boots to raise money.”

The firefighters will ask for donations from 9 a.m. to noon.

Wastewater treatment building emergency declared

Board members declared an emergency at the Wastewater Treatment Plant so city employees can rent a Vactor truck to assist in vacuuming sludge.

The cover on digester No. 1, which helps clean sludge from the city’s water, needed to be replaced, according to a memo given to the board members by the Goshen City Legal Department. Part of the replacement agreement stipulates that the city must remove all the sludge from the digester, which requires two Vactor trucks.

While the city does have two Vactor trucks, one is not currently in service, according to Utilities Superintendent Dustin Sailor. The department employees have found a place to rent an identical Vactor truck for $900 a day or $3000 a week, whichever proves to be needed.

The Board of Works members approved the request, and a contract will be presented at the next Board of Works meeting.

Other business:

• Ken Ulanowicz was promoted to the rank of patrolman from his position of probationary patrolman, retroactive to Aug. 19, according to a memo.

• A warranty deed was approved with Waterford Crossing LLC for the Waterford Crossing Retention Pond, according to a memo. The land was incorrectly conveyed to the city of Goshen as part of a larger conveyance, and staff from the Legal Department found the error. The real estate will be transferred through this contract.

• The board members approved the sale of surplus water meter bodies to OmniSource for scrap material. The board members also approved the sale of a surplus street cleaner to the city of North Liberty for $30,000.

• Work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Chemical Building was approved by the board members. Work includes a new roof for $5,985, window tinting for air-conditioning efficiency for $941.58 and repair work for holes near the entryway for $450. The board members also approved an agreement with JRM Environmental Inc to create a plan for mercury reduction at a cost of $65 per hour, for an amount not to exceed $3,500.

• The board members approved an agreement with Cripe Design to create a plan for renovations to the Rogers Park Pavilion after the damage from the March 21 arson. Mayor Kauffman said he was unsure whether insurance funds would cover the cost of the redesign, which was awarded for $7,830.

• The modifications to the purchase agreement for the Hawks Building were approved by the board members. The amendments first passed the Redevelopment Commission members last week, and will go to the City Council for final approval.

• The board members approved an amendment to a 2007 order to property owner Ronald Davidhizar to clean up several properties that he owns. City attorney Larry Barkes said that Davidhizar has cleaned up most of the properties he was originally asked to bring into compliance with city code, and the amendment added an additional five properties to Davidhizar’s requirement.

• The board members approved the amendment to a 2004 agreement with Forest River Inc. and several other companies to remove language prohibiting tax abatements within a region along Century Drive, according to a memo. The amendment now allows for tax abatements if approved by the City Council. Forest River is currently seeking a tax abatement for an expansion project. The board members also approved a post-construction plant for stormwater management at a current project on Lot 11 at 2421 Century Drive.