Versailles Town Council hears dispute
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff writer

For members of the Versailles Town Council, the theme of the Thursday, October 14, meeting could have been "Love thy neighbor."

Much of the discussion centered on a dispute of two neighbors over parking areas, children throwing balls against a house, and disrespect of property.

With both parties present and increasingly vocal, Council Member John Holzer suggested, "You need to be neighborly. Invite each other over for a meal; do as the Bible says, 'Love thy neighbor.'"

When this didn't quiet the discussion, Council Member Jim Taul stopped the argument by telling the participants the town council meeting was not the place to vocalize their personal problems.

As a solution, Street/Water Superintendent Kevin Hensley told the complainant that the town workers would extend the yellow line in front of her house to help secure a parking place for those returning her to her home or visiting her.

Council President Sue Meisberger conducted the October meeting, which began at 7:00 p.m. and ended at 8:25 p.m. In addition to council members, Clerk-Treasurer Ted Spurlock, Town Marshal David Adams, Deputy Marshal Joe Mann, Sewer Plant Operator Mark Salyers, and Hensley were present.

Boy Scouts Aaron Dykes and John Rourk from Troop 607 attended as a requirement for a merit badge.

In his monthly report Hensley said a Curry engineer would be present on October 20 to open bids for a lift station to be placed near the sawmill and
the state park area.

He also reported that the National Water Service has cleaned the structure at the dam. His department has replaced a hydrant by the school as well as injectors at the water plant. They will start on the storm drain on North Adams Street soon.

Hensley is checking prices for an 8' by 12' storage bin for the sewer plant and/or the shooting range.

Marshal Adams said he and Deputy Mann had returned from taking the drug-detecting dogs for canine training. He asked council's permission to build a kennel for the dogs in back of Mann's house in Versailles. This would be funded from the Riverboat Gaming law enforcement monies.

A motion by Taul and a second by Holzer received a 3-0 vote to approve Marshal Adams' request.
Statistics for September listed 14 warnings issued, 11 cases taken, 10 citizens assisted, 9 arrests, and 22 other activities. Adams said the firing range in the area of the new wastewater treatment plant is near completion with plans for shooting during the last weekend of October.

Salyers reported "everything's running fine" at the new wastewater treatment plant.

Upon Clerk-Treasurer Spurlock's suggestion, the council voted to change the November council meeting from Thursday, November 11, which is Veterans Day, to Thursday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m.

Spurlock also noted he had received five complaints on dogs running loose and reminded the public of the town's leash law. Marshal Adams will be enforcing this ordinance as well as the town's ordinance restricting the burning of leaves.

Leaf pickup throughout the town takes place on Monday's and Thursday's each week.

The town and the Leora Weare Post #173, American Legion, have agreed on Thursday, October 28, as Trick or Treat Night in Versailles, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The annual Halloween Parade is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on the Town Square.

Versailles Fire Chief Richard Purvis reported the fire department had made 20 runs during September, 10 of those were fire related and 10 were medical.

Concerning the removal of a fence on town property, council members agreed the fence must go. Town workers will take care of this situation.

Present at the beginning of the meeting to ask about extending the sewer to the Butternut Bread Store on US# 50 were Ed Sizemore, owner, and Jim Fear, who acted as spokesperson.

Hensley agreed after some discussion to check with others in that area to see if they would be interested in going on the sewer line and having a lift station installed. The town sewer presently stops at David Lane.

He will be conferring with the engineer from Curry's concerning elevation and the total cost of such a project. Town officials are not sure of when IDOT plans to work on the Wye area - a situation that might change what the town would do with sewer extension.