Osgood approves joint venture with county highway

Beth Rumsey, Stafff Writer

The proposal for the joint purchase of salt brine equipment between the Town of Osgood and the Ripley County Highway Department was unanimously approved at the regular session of the Osgood Town Council on Tuesday, January 20.

According to Town Attorney Mary Ann Gay, the equipment will be housed at the county highway garage, with the county and Osgood each paying 50% of the costs of purchase.
Gay noted that the brine equipment will be available to other municipalities with the proceeds going into a fund to be used by the street department for maintenance on the brine equipment. “It’s a great idea,” said board member Norman Kappes.

Mark Dickman, representing the F.A.R.M. Club, requested permission to hold a parade through a portion of town on Saturday, June 27. According to Dickman, the F.A.R.M. Club event will be held at the Ripley County Fairgrounds in Osgood on June 26-28, and they are expecting people from several states away.

The board agreed to allow the parade, with the request that Dickman give the street department supervisor and the town marshal a proposed route for approval.

Street Department Supervisor Steve Wilhoit addressed complaints regarding the cleaning of the streets after the recent weather. He reminded the board members of the salt shortage, and hopes that the brine system will help with the problem.

The annual report has been sent into the sate, according to Wilhoit. He noted that the gas department has been able to purchase approximately 15% of the gas needed for the 2009-2010 winter, with hopes to have 50% purchased by March. He noted that this will result in significant savings for the gas department.

In other business:

• The board unanimously agreed to pay $34,000 to Commonwealth Engineers for the water treatment plant study.

• The pretreatment ordinance for the industrial park, already approved by the state, was approved.

• The request for software and a computer for the police department was unanimously approved. Marshal John Hegge noted that the police department web page is being updated, and expects to have a preview for the board members by the next meeting.

All board members were in attendance, along with Clerk Treasurer Tammy Wilhoit and Attorney Mary Ann Gay to advise. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 17 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Osgood Town Hall.