White River Interceptor Rehabilitation
City of Muncie, Indiana
As part of an ongoing process to maintain FEMA certification of the White River Flood Control Levee, the Muncie Sanitary District (MSD) is rehabilitating multiple sewers along the levee route.
Recent News
Salem Water Treatment Plant Groundbreaking
HALF-CENTURY-OLD SALEM WATER TREATMENT PLANT BEING REBUILT
June 3 groundbreaking to highlight project’s quality of life, economic development benefits
Celebrating the rebuilding of Salem’s 51-year-old Lake John Hay Water Treatment Plant, City leaders joined Washington County officials and project partners to officially break ground at the plant site on Monday, June 3.
Crediting the vital role partnerships played in the success of the project, Mayor Troy Merry explained how teamwork resulted in a well-designed, strategically funded plant that will serve the community and Washington County for the next 75 years. Indiana Congressman Trey Hollingsworth and Indiana State Senator Erin Houchin joined City leaders at the event.
“Thanks to careful planning with Clerk-Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh and our City Council and working in tandem with representatives from the USDA Rural Development, we refinanced $1.9 million and received a two percent 40-year-loan from the USDA to pay for the $15.2 million plant,” Merry explained.
According to Council President Justin Green, strategic planning went into the new plant that is designed to pump 3.0 million gallons per day (MGD).
“Our long-term financial investment in the plant means safe and clean water will continue to be delivered to a total of 17,202 water customers. The effectiveness and efficiency of the water plant will not only enhance our residents’ quality of life, but also will serve as a critically important piece of our quality of place infrastructure.
“As city and county leaders, it’s our responsibility to ensure Salem and Washington County are attractive, viable options for companies to locate here and for new homeowners to live here. The Lake John Hay Water Treatment Plant is a key asset in our community’s economic development appeal,” Green said. “Our groundbreaking celebration on Monday is a win for all.”
Merry cited the invaluable role Salem rate payers served in the successful launch of the new plant’s construction.
“Salem and Washington County water customers got it. They understood that for us to continue providing safe, clean water from a modern, technologically-sound treatment plant, their rates needed to increase. With our customers’ involvement in the decision making through public meetings and sharing of information, water bills were increased from approximately $12 per month to $19 per month; an amount still far below that of other communities.
“Our residents are equal partners in this initiative, and we are grateful for their buy-in and appreciation for the need to rebuild our aging plant and make it current and modern for the benefit of the City and the County as a whole,” Merry said.
According to Wessler Engineering Drinking Water Group Head Dylan Lambermont, whose team worked with Salem leaders to evaluate options on making repairs or building a new plant, the project is set for completion in the spring of 2021 with a modern design, automated technology and a separate control room, among other efficiency-driven elements.
“Because of the forward-thinking leadership of Mayor Merry, Clerk-Treasurer Hattabaugh and the Salem City Council, led by Councilman Green, pivotal decisions were made back in 2016 to initiate this project for the community’s well-being.
“The new leadership at the time was willing to make the hard decisions that led to the progressive vision of this plant that will continue to serve the City of Salem as well as Washington County, including East Washington, Pekin and Posey Townships,” Lambermont said.
In addition to loan funding from USDA Rural Development and a Preliminary Engineering Report study from Wessler Engineering, other project partners include Mitchell & Stark Construction Co., Inc., Baker Tilly (rate consultant), Indiana Bond Bank, and Krieg DeVault LLP (outside legal counsel).
Originally built in 1968 to increase Salem’s water supply, the plant is located on two acres in the north central section of Washington County.
Local newspaper The Salem Democrat and WLKY, the CBS affiliate out of Louisville, were on hand to cover the event.
Click here for the article courtesy of The Salem Democrat.
Click here for the news story and video courtesy of WLKY.
Below are photos of the event, courtesy of Wessler Engineering.
Wessler Recognized as a 2019 Best Places to Work in Indiana
Marking the eighth year of being recognized, Wessler Engineering was honored as a 2019 Best Places to Work in Indiana company at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual awards dinner April 30 at the Indiana Convention Center.
Moving up from the small to medium-sized companies’ category, Wessler ranked 30th out of the 37 total winners at that level who have 75-249 U.S. employees.
Top employers in all the size categories were determined based on employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys, with the Best Companies Group who oversees similar programs in 25 other states handling the selection process.
According to Wessler Engineering CEO Marty Wessler, his firm believes in the program’s approach of companies receiving in-depth evaluations by their employees to identify both strengths and weaknesses of the organization.
“We are humbled and grateful to be recognized for the eighth year as one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work. As a firm who truly values our employees for all the contributions they make to our success and our culture, team members’ opinions matter. Knowing that attracting and maintaining top talent is key to every company’s success, we use the report we receive to further enhance our employee retention and recruitment initiatives.
“By listening to what our team members share, we continuously evaluate how we can improve the work/life balance and employee benefits for those who – day in and day out – are instrumental in making Wessler Engineering successful,” Wessler said.
A sampling of statistics shared in the Indiana Chamber’s BizVoice® magazine showing a comparison between the companies on the list and those firms not on the list regarding various employment issues includes:
• work/life balance: no or minimum overtime (66% on the list compared to 39% not on the list); telecommuting options (74% on the list compared to 53% not on the list); paid time off for community service/volunteer work (81% on the list compared to 64% not on the list)
• family-friendly benefits: parental leave upon birth/adoption (78% on the list compared to 55% not on the list) and flexible hours (100% on the list compared to 84% not on the list)
• employee survey benchmarks: corporate culture/communications (92% on the list compared to 81% not on the list); pay/benefits (89% on the list compared to 79% not on the list); training/development (89% on the list compared to 78% not on the list); job provides meaning/purpose (92% on the list compared to 82% not on the list ); and employees would recommend employment at company (94% on the list compared to 85% not on the list).
Fifty-three winners were selected from small-sized Indiana companies (15-74 U.S. employees), 37 medium-sized firms (75-249), 23 large organizations (250-999 U.S. employees), and 12 major companies with 1,000 or more employees. The 2019 award winners ranged from 15 to more than 1,800 employees. Out-of-state parent companies could participate if they had at least 15 full-time employees in Indiana.
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana with branch offices in Carmel, Evansville, Fort Wayne and Bluffton, Ohio, Wessler Engineering specializes in wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater projects, providing services ranging from master planning and design to construction administration and process energy audits. Focused on building relationships in both the public and private sectors since 1975, Wessler’s clients include state government agencies, municipalities, counties, industries, and private utilities.
Client Comments:
"Our experience with Wessler is always positive. They treat you as a friend, and they’re as good as their word.” -City of Frankfort, Indiana
Recent News
Employee Spotlight: Bridget Philpott
Wessler is proud to announce Bridget Philpott, E.I., as the July Employee of the Month! Bridget joined Wessler in 2016 and serves as an engineer in the Indianapolis office. She works in the areas of designing and evaluating wastewater treatment facilities and sewer and sanitary collection systems. She is also an expert on where and what to do in Europe! We had her answer some questions so that we can get to know her better.
What are your roles and responsibilities at Wessler?
My roles and responsibilities as an Engineer in the Wastewater Group include assisting in the design of wastewater treatment plants and collection systems, performing preliminary studies and providing construction administration services.
What does the “Wessler Way” mean to you?
To me the “Wessler Way” means understanding each client’s unique needs and doing everything you can to provide them with the highest quality work.
What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned?
Since starting at Wessler I feel like I have learned something new every day. One of the most important being that there is always more than one way to do something and to make sure you think of the end user when deciding between alternatives. The choices you make when designing their system will affect them for years to come.
Outside of work, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy baking, hiking, traveling and playing lacrosse. I also love to read and joined a book club at the beginning of this year to make sure I actually take the time to do it. If anyone has any book suggestions let me know, I’m always looking for my next book!
Rumor has it you have travelled to Europe – what are some of your favorite places? And where do you plan to travel to next and why?
I’m lucky enough to have travelled to Europe four times, with the most recent trip being when I went to Spain earlier this year. It’s hard to pick a favorite but Santorini, Greece is the most beautiful place I have ever visited and Prague, Czech Republic is the most unique! I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights, so for my next international trip I am planning on going to the few of the Nordic countries.
What are some must-do activities when visiting the Chicago area?
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago I was often able to go downtown and explore all that Chicago has to offer. As some of you already know, I could go on for days about things to do and particularly what to eat while in Chicago, but here are a few of favorites:
And of course, going to a baseball game for Chicago’s best team…the White Sox!
Employee Spotlight: Brian Sahm
We are proud to announce Brian Sahm, Project Engineer I, as our April Employee of the Month!
Brian interned with Wessler in 2013, before being hired on full time the following year to join our Electrical group. Brian employs his technical knowledge to plan, design, and bid sophisticated power systems and controls for low and medium voltage equipment, as well as standby power systems.
We had him answer some questions on his time at Wessler, as well as what he likes to do in his spare time.
I currently work in the electrical and I&C group for Wessler. My job is to provide a complete electrical system including power, standby power, controls and instrumentation to allow plant equipment to communicate.
What does the “Wessler Way” mean to you?
The Wessler Way to me means providing not only a complete and functioning project, but building relationships with clients. We are here to help not only in the design phase, but we want to make sure the client gets exactly what they need and that they feel comfortable working together to find a solution. Our clients are part of the Wessler family.
What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned?
There is always another way. Like every discipline, there are multiple pathways to achieve a solution. It is imperative that everyone takes the time to hear alternative solutions because they can be extremely valuable for future designs. I also believe that you should learn something new every day. No matter your age, if you do not take something new from your job each day, then you are not bettering yourself as an engineer. Knowledge is the key to success.
Outside of work, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy hunting, fishing, and scuba diving. Many times I may come back empty handed, but the escape from society and the relaxation that comes from sitting alone in the woods is second to none.
You own a landscaping company. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
I started “Sahmscapes” when I was 15 years old with just a push mower and some miscellaneous equipment. My hunting and fishing hobbies required financial backing, so each spring I would celebrate as the cash flow returned to go and buy the new gear. Slowly I began to grow the company and ended up hiring high school friends to help complete my larger landscaping projects. I had not intended for the company to become more than just some side income, but eventually I found myself landscaping every night after school and on the weekends. College came around and I would return home on the weekends during mowing season to complete my projects. The company I had intended to end when I went to college continued to grow and, to this day, Sahmscapes continues to help provide mowing and landscaping solutions on the south side of Indianapolis.
You are a certified rescue diver. How did this come about? Any interesting stories?
My father and Uncle picked up the hobby back in the day, so when I saw classes being offered while in college I jumped on the opportunity to learn. My girlfriend Karina also scuba dives, but she is a scuba instructor. When it came time that I could continue my training and move up to Rescue Diver, Karina and her mom certified me, along with the help of my uncle who acted as the victim I had to rescue. I do not recommend to anyone that you receive a rescue diver certification from your significant other or family member, as I was nearly the one that had to be saved by the time that course was complete.
If you could do anything or wish for something, what would it be?
I wish that my father’s golf skills could have rubbed off on me. He was a runner-up in State in high school and conducted many of his business meetings on the course. Now that I have ventured into the business world I see that the golf course can be used as an excellent tool for productive meetings. My meetings usually run over, though, as I have trouble keeping the ball in the fairway. Maybe one day I will take up lessons and straighten out the stroke, but, until then, I will have to live with the fact that golf is not an inheritable genetic trait.