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Commissioners
approve LifeTime Resources funding
Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer
The Ripley County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday,
May 21. Commissioners Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz and Lawrence Nickell,
plus County Attorney Neil Comer and County Auditor, Mary Ann McCoy
were present.
Sally Beckley, Executive Director of LifeTime Resources, came before
the commissioners to request $28,000 in funding from Ripley County
for the agency. The request is the same as has been approved in
the past.
Beckley told commissioners that LifeTimes public transportation
program now includes Jennings County. She said that the program
is working very well here because of the tremendous amount of local
support it receives. Beckley said that unlike similar programs in
other locales, there is no waiting list for meals or other services
provided.
Commissioners president, Rob Reiners asked, Why is the
Versailles Senior Center no longer getting meals? Beckley
stated that because the facility is not ADA accessible, LifeTime
Resources could no longer cover it. She went on to say that the
restroom situation in the current building would be extremely difficult
to resolve. Beckley also said that if another facility became available,
LifeTime Resources would look into serving it again. I will
follow up on that with Julie Berry, Beckley concluded.
A motion was made by Lawrence Nickell and seconded by Chuck Folz
to approve LifeTimes funding request and passed unanimously.
Insurance coverage on Ripley Countys two covered bridges was
discussed. The Busching Bridge at Versailles State Park recently
underwent a complete restoration bringing its value to $2.7 million.
At present, the county has it insured for $800,000. The covered
bridge in Holton is insured for $500,000. At issue was whether the
Holton bridge should be replaced if it was destroyed. The $500,000
can only be collected if the bridge is replaced.
Some of the perils listed for bridges are arson, lightning and overweight
vehicles. Two that are not covered on the current policy are flood
and earthquake.
Reiners said of the Holton bridge, I think we would replace
it. Its historical and there are only two in the county.
Later in the meeting, however, Attorney Neil Comer pointed out,
It doesnt make sense to replace it. It would no longer
be historic. It would just be a new bridge that goes nowhere.
A problem that was pointed out by commissioner Chuck Folz was overweight
trucks using the Busching Bridge as a detour when there are wrecks
on Highway 50. Herman Strumpf, present to address the commissioners
on a separate matter, suggested putting a height bar on the bridge
to keep trucks from using it.
The insurance matter will be addressed further after an underwriter
from the current insurance company physically inspects the bridges
in the near future.
Herman Strumpf addressed the commissioners regarding the matter
of the planned water board. He reported that Indiana First is set
up to get the first crack at the well field under the Indiana Army
Ammunition Plant in Charlestown. The group has obtained a three-year
first right of refusal, allowing concerns in Indiana the first option
on that water.
Strumpf said that an Indianapolis law firm would charge $150,000
to research the question, What is the way that the water board
should be set up? Folz responded, I can answer that.
Its being set up by the state.
Strumpf also praised Ripley County commissioners and council for
taking on an active role in the proposed water board. Thats
an act of political courage, he noted. He went on to say that
commissioners have incurred administrative if not fiscal hassles
by agreeing to assist with the water board.
Commissioner Folz noted that there will be a public meeting regarding
the water board in Osgood at the end of June or first of July.
Doug Thayer of Osgood thanked the commissioners on behalf of the
Ripley County Fairgrounds for the help of the highway department.
Thayer also said that the fairgrounds would like to run a new road
at the back of the property so that the back entrance will no longer
run in front of the playground. He further stated that they eventually
want to hook into Osgoods storm sewer system to help keep
the fairgrounds dry.
Commissioner Reiners shared a letter from the owners of Scenic Road
Rallies, LLC concerning the recent Scenic Road Rally that wound
through Ripley County on April 28. In it, Satolli and Beverly Glassmeyer
complemented Katherine Taul of the Ripley County Tourism Bureau
as well as Geneen Ostendorf and the Osgood Merchants Association.
Of Taul, the Glassmeyers wrote, she did a fantastic job of
organizing everything on her end in order for the county to have
a successful road tour.
They also wrote, Ostendorf and the Osgood Merchants Association
provided a great gift basket for the winners of the road rally and
put together a very entertaining Jazz Band Concert that coincided
with the tour through Osgood.
Pictures of the event are at www.scenicroadrallies.com.
In other business, commissioners appointed Anthony J. Wood to the
Friendship Regional Sewer District. |
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