Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. welcomes two new employees serving in the capacity of Business Development Manager.

“Commonwealth Engineers has worked with hundreds of Indiana Communities across the State for more than four decades. We have maintained our commitment to the best interest of these communities and helping them solve their toughest water resource and environmental problems. This has resulted in long-standing as well as continued growth in clientele. Because we remain committed to the same level of service, we are adding to our team. We welcome these individuals who will work diligently to maintain communication and serve as liaisons between our clients and our technical and regulatory staff.”  – Al Stong, President Commonwealth Engineers

1. Mark Yager – West Central Indiana Business Development Manager

 Mr. Yager understands how local governments operate and knows how to help communities find funding for municipal utility improvements projects. Mark is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington with a Master of Public Affairs Degree with concentrations in Public Finance and Economic Development. He has also received certification from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Past experience includes working with municipalities to develop action plans for water resource infrastructure needs, including grant writing and serving as the point of contact between various government agencies.

1. Jeremy VanErman – Northeast Indiana Business Development Manager

Through his past experience, Mr. VanErman has firsthand knowledge of municipal utility needs and the concerns of Indiana communities. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Jeremy served as the Assistant Storm Water Superintendent for the City of Anderson, and the Storm Water & Engineering Manager/Planning Director/Building Commissioner for the City of Alexandria.  He has earned various certifications pertaining to project management, safety, and erosion control.  Additionally, he served as a chair for the Indiana MS4 Annual Meeting and the Madison County Storm Water Quality Partnership. Jeremy has received various awards and acknowledgements from the Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Joseph S. (Joe) Fragomeni, Jr.
Oct. 7, 1953 – Aug. 16, 2018

Joseph S. Fragomeni, Jr., better known as “Joe” or “Frags,” was tragically killed late Thursday afternoon in an auto accident in Fulton County, Indiana. He is survived by his wife Gail Fragomeni; his daughter Ashley Hall (Lee); his son Jason Fragomeni (Laura); his grandchildren Helena, Linley, and Camden Fragomeni; and his mother Joyce Fragomeni.
His American Structurepoint family is deeply saddened and stunned by his untimely death. Joe’s passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts. He has been a part of the American Structurepoint family since June of 1999, when he joined the firm as a business development director. Joe had an amazing talent to develop close relationships and make his clients his friends. He was highly respected in our industry for his integrity, professionalism, thoughtfulness, and cheerfulness. Joe will truly be missed. Funeral arrangements are pending. Details will be forwarded as they become known.

**The celebration of life for Joseph S. Fragomeni Jr. will be held at the Morris Park Country Club (2200 McKinley Avenue, South Bend, Indiana) on Sunday, August 26th from 12:00 to 3:30 PM.
Joe’s family has two requests: Everyone is encouraged to wear brightly colored, casual summer attire to the celebration, and if you are far away and cannot attend, please contribute any photos you have of Joe to the Dropbox account linked here.
Joe’s obituary can be found www.hanleyandsonsfuneralhomes.com/obits/obituary.php?id=707848

Please keep Joe and the entire Fragomeni family in your thoughts and prayers.

“I Dig Summer” Contest – Save Time. Go Online!
Want to spend less time on the phone and more time on the job? With Indiana and Kentucky 811’s Web Ticket Entry system, excavators can do just that and submit information about their planned excavation online. This summer, by using Web Ticket Entry, excavators are automatically entering for a chance to win in the “I Dig Summer” contest. The users who complete the highest percentage of eligible tickets online between May 29, 2018 and Sept. 3, 2018 have the chance to win a two-night conference package to the Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference, or monetary prizes in the form of Visa gift cards totaling $1,400. Plus, while supplies last, all new Web Ticket Entry users will receive a free “I Dig Summer” contest T-shirt. For official rules and links to helpful information and resources, visit idigsummer.com.

Colts Fans Learn About Safe Digging
For the 15th consecutive summer, the Indianapolis Colts traveled across Indiana for the 2018 Colts Fan Fests, which featured players, cheerleaders and the team’s mascot, Blue. Indiana 811 members the City of Huntingburg and Vectren joined in the festivities on May 23 and June 7, where fans enjoyed autographs, photos, giveaways, music and more. Indiana 811 hosted a booth at both events to promote the importance of contacting 811 before digging, how to prevent a pipeline leak, what to do in an emergency and more.
Update to Indiana’s “Call Before You Dig” Law
On March 15, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act 125 into law. The bill made changes to Indiana Code regarding new responsibilities and requirements for certain underground utility excavators and underground facility operators, and became effective as Indiana Code chapter 8-1-26.5 on July 1. Senate Enrolled Act 125 was developed in consultation with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office. With the new law in effect, any contractor that is required to register with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office must include a signed statement saying that the entity and its employees will comply with Indiana 811’s “Call Before You Dig” law. Contractors already registered must also file a signed statement. To learn more about this law update, click here.

Are you registered for the 2018 MWDPTC?
Early bird registration is currently open for the sixth annual Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference (MWDPTC). Hosted by title sponsors Indiana and Kentucky 811, the 2018 MWDPTC will return to the iconic French Lick Resort in French Link, Ind., Wednesday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 16. MWDPTC attendees will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker David Miguel, who will present a compelling speech on the importance of safety. Attendees can also look forward to networking opportunities, including a golf tournament, turkey shoot and horseback riding event. Register by Aug. 24 to take advantage of early bird discounts, which could save your organization hundreds of dollars if you’re sending multiple people to the conference. Visit www.midwest811conference.com to learn more about the 2018 MWDPTC and to register now.

On July 17, the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) released a memo concerning changes made to the State Revolving Fund Loan Program by legislative action. OCRA wishes to highlight the information presented in this memo for any prior grantees or future applications choosing SRF as a funding source. We have copied the information below or you can download a copy of this memo here.
From the SRF memo:
IFA administers the State Revolving Fund Loan Program (SRF) and is bound by federal and state law in its program oversight. Since 1991, this fund has provided over 775 loans to over 380 Indiana communities for projects that have improved wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, created jobs and protected the environment and public health.
During the last Legislative Session, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 362, which became effective on July 1, 2018. It is codified at Indiana Code 5-1.2-10-16. The new law requires that all SRF participants that receive a loan or other financial assistance from the SRF Loan Program certify that the SRF Participant has documentation demonstrating that it has the financial, managerial, technical, and legal capability to operate and maintain its water or wastewater system in the form of an Asset Management Program (AMP). The IFA looks forward to working with SRF Participants to facilitate a smooth transition in meeting the requirements of the new law. To assist your community with the development of an Asset Management Program, find AMP documents, including a certification form, a checklist, guidelines and guidance on the SRF Loan Program website,
One component of each SRF Participant’s AMP is the requirement to have audited financial statements prior to an SRF loan closing and every two years thereafter during the repayment of the SRF loan. The SRF Loan Program is offering a one-year grace period, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, during which time the SRF will accept a review, examination or audit of a SRF Participant’s financial statements performed by the Indiana State Board of Accounts or another independent public accountant of a calendar year ending no later than three years prior to the SRF loan closing date.
For example:
• if an SRF Participant seeks to complete a financing with the SRF Loan Program between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, the SRF Participant must submit to the SRF Loan Program a Report no older than for calendar year ending 12/31/2015;
• or if an SRF Loan Participant seeks to complete a financing between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019, the SRF Participant must submit to the SRF Loan Program a Report no older than for calendar year ending December 31, 2016. This follows SRF current practice.
In connection with financing a project with the SRF Loan Program on or after July 1, 2019, SRF Participant’s must submit audited financial statements of the SRF Participant performed by the Indiana State Board of Accounts or another independent public accountant of the calendar year ending no later than two years prior to the SRF loan closing date. The SRF Loan Program will no longer accept reviews or examinations.
Therefore, prospective SRF Loan Program Participants are advised and encouraged to immediately undertake the steps necessary to assure an audit(s) is performed at an early enough stage so as to not delay a future project financing with the SRF Loan Program.

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Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the Secretary of Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov.
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