Osgood residents complain about noise
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Several residents who live near Bob's Service Station came to the Osgood Town Board meeting last week complaining about the individuals who hang out there. They complained about loud noise, screeching tires, vulgar language, drag racing, loud engines and also about people swinging from the new street light poles. Marshal Rodney Stepleton stated he would take care of the situation.

The Town of Osgood has launched its new website. It is www.osgoodindiana.org. Dave Rayner designed the site for the town and they are very pleased with the way it turned out.

For the gas department, Superintendent Steve Wilhoit stated there will be an estimated 32% increase in the residential gas rates due to the increase in what the town is being billed. U.S.D.I. will be in town October 4, to do a gas main extension on S. Buckeye Street and a tap for the Osgood Public Library. The town of Napoleon is willing to give a permanent easement to the gas meter location. Osgood will bill Napoleon for their monthly regulator station and meter fee of $160.00.

Osgood Fire Chief Chris Lemen said the parking lot at the firehouse has been blacktopped and it doesn't look very good.

Tony Wood reported for the sewer department. He said the Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Project will be starting soon. The Osgood Public Library's sewer line is 15" lower than the existing service. It will cost the town time and material to dig up the service connection to make adjustments. Wood is awaiting a decision from the contractor.

Street Superintendent Steve Wilhoit reported the Storm Drain Project on Franklin Street has been completed. He stated this project made a huge difference for the residents. There has been no flooding in their basements. There is now a section on Sycamore Street that needs to be done.

Marshal Stepleton reported he and Deputy Marshal Chuck Peters have been to police training and Stepleton will be attending another class next month.

Davie Mohler from Commonwealth Engineers stated the Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Project will begin next week with pre-televising the lines. The North Walnut Street Sidewalk Project will be advertised and the bids will be opened October 18, at 7:00 p.m. The lighting portion of the project will be bid separately. The town will also need to acquire temporary easements for the homeowners. Mohler also announced information for the Indiana Office of Rural Affairs on the Water Project on State Road 350 should be available by November.

A Notice of Public Hearing was presented from the Ripley County Area Planning Commission for Claytown Commons Phase 2. The hearing has been set for October 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room at the Courthouse Annex in Versailles.

A Zoning Map change was presented. James and Marsha Bultman are petitioning the Town Board to rezone the following described real estate: part lots 367 & 366 in the Original Town of Osgood. The zone classification would change from Residential-3 to General Business. Their request was granted.

Several motions were approved: the 2006 Budget and Ordinance 2005-6; the Gas Cost Adjustment factor was raised from $2.91 per thousand cubic feet to $7.11; claims from Commonwealth Engineers totaling $10,612.16; signage of the Grant Award Agreement for the Reynolds Foundation on the Brick Street Project; Claim from the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission for $17,250.00 (75% of Grant Administration and labor Standard Services, 100% of the Environmental Review on the Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Project); tabled the contribution request from the Ripley County Economic Development Corporation; declines a request for a contribution to Family Connections, and the Total Dissolved Solids Initiative.

All three town board members were present: Jeff Volz, Paul Struckman, and Linda Krinop. Attorney Mary Ann Gay and Clerk-Treasurer Tammy Wilhoit were present to advise the board. The next meeting of the Osgood Town Board will be held on October 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Osgood Town Hall.