ENHANCING OUR CITY
A city’s infrastructure is its underlying foundation. The city’s continued growth and viability depend on sustainable maintenance and improvement of such basic installations and facilities as streets, utilities, parks and other amenities.
Because of the infrastructure’s importance to a city’s health, we’ve taken aggressive actions to improve the city’s outdated water system. We fixed the water hydrants and installed new ones where needed. Old water meters were replaced with state-of-the-art electronic meters. Miles of water mains have been replaced. Hydrants and valves have been added to the system. The city is currently implementing another major water project -the 2011 Water Project- as outlined in the recent water pamphlet. To view an electronic edition of the pamphlet, please go to the page www.citofcharlestown.com/charlestown-water-system-booklet.
The city has added and improved city services, including an Animal Control department, street sweeping, greatly improved snow removal and brush pick-up. The city recently added a camera-equipped vacor truck to allow our own sewer inspections and repair. Also added is a new track hoe to reduce costly repair expenses and expand capabilities.
The current Wastewater plant treats about a million gallons of wastewater a day and has the capacity for the city to grow more than twice its current size before requiring expansion. The city has ensured future expansion by reaching an agreement with River Ridge to purchase another 100 acres adjacent to the wastewater plant over a ten-year period for the price of one dollar.
Today our parks stand as symbols of our civic pride. We’ve built on previous efforts to revitalize Greenway Park, constructing covered bridges, a concession stand and handicap-accessible public restrooms. Today, the park has become one of Charlestown’s primary venues for events and activities. Our children also have the new Church Street Park and Skate Park as safe areas to play and socialize.
We continually look to new ways to make our city a better place to live, work, raise and educate our children. In recent years, we secured a $1 million grant from the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to make enhancements along Ind. 3 in the heart of Charlestown. The sidewalk plan is designed to connect the businesses, schools and parks to all the neighborhoods. When completed in 2013, it will add both beauty and functionality and will be used by many for safety, leisure and exercise.