Versailles Council approves traffic lanes, sees video on use of tasers
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Versailles Town Council with a motion by Council Member Jim Taul and a second by Council Member John Holzer approved the installation of three traffic lanes on Clearview Lane at the intersection of US #421.

With Council President Sue Meisberger casting the additional affirmative vote, the council agreed to have the traditional left lane as a turn-in lane, then divide the rest of the road into turn left and turn right lanes.

Discussion on the traffic situation at this intersection has taken place for an extended period of time, but present council members believe the additional turn lane should help drivers get on to US 421 either direction.

During their meeting on Thursday, April 8, at Versailles Town Hall, council members watched a video presented by Town Marshal David Adams on the benefit of the Taser M26 Advanced Weapon.

Recently law enforcement officers throughout the county participated in training on the use of the taser weapon. Marshal Adams received certification in the use of the taser along with six from the Ripley County Sheriff's Department and one from the Osgood police department.

According to Marshal Adams, Taser weapons affect the sensory and motor nervous system and can be used whenever a situation arises where the use of physical force exposes the officer, the subject, or the public to unnecessary danger or when other force techniques may be ineffective.

Concerning the purchase of a taser weapon at $600, council members recommended that Marshal Adams apply for a Ripley County Community Foundation grant. If a grant is received, then the county prosecutor's office will match the amount.

Also present for the April council meeting were Clerk-Treasurer Ted Spurlock, Town Attorney Larry Eaton, Water/Street Superintendent Kevin Hensley, Mark Salyers, head of the wastewater plant, and Fire Chief Richard Purvis.

Brian Daugherty appeared before council to offer the town the services of his company - Nuisance Wildlife Removal - for catching dogs and cats running loose. He would do this on a weekly basis for a stated sum. Council members took his offer under advisement.

Fire Chief Richard Purvis reported that the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department had made 14 runs during the month of March, six of them fire runs.

Marshal Adams reported 20 citizens assisted during the month of March; 10 warnings issued; 5 citations issued; and 9 other police department activities.

In other business, the three council members:

* Agreed to move $12,000 from the Rainy Day Fund to Storm Drain Repair;

* Gave permission to Tourism Director Katherine Taul to close Washington Street for the Underground Railroad commemoration on May 15. Taul also invited town officials to attend and to speak at the ceremony.

* Received an interest check from the Ripley County Community Foundation, Inc. on the town's investment and agreed to return it to be added to the principal.

* Approved two county zoning ordinances.

A meeting was scheduled for Thursday, April 15, for the purpose of opening bids for street repair and to discuss health insurance and sewer lift stations.