Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Jodi Comer of Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (SIRPC) came before the Napoleon Town Council at their regular meeting September 9 with information concerning the storm water drainage project the town is working on.

Council members unanimously agreed to pay $8000 to Midwestern Engineers for easement preparation concerning the storm water drainage project.

Comer presented each member with a contract to sign that contained information about the final design on bid specifications and an inspection, along with other pertinent information about the project.

The total estimated project cost is $980,525.00 with $151,000 budgeted for engineering and oversight for construction of the project.

The estimated time frame for the work to be done is next summer. Comer explained the plan is to begin construction in the spring of 2010 and have the project completed by the fall of the same year.

In other business the council agreed to waive the penalties and fines that have mounted since the process began to have Ida Grow comply with hooking on to the town’s sewage system.

Grow had refused to hook up and instead used a private septic system. It was noted if the penalties and fines were levied against Grow, it could amount to several thousand dollars. She could be charged $500 per day for each day she was in violation. The process has been going on for at least a year.

The council will however require that Grow pay attorney fees they have incurred throughout the process with their attorney Larry Eaton.

The final adoption of the 2010 budget for the town was heard. The proposed budget had been submitted to the Ripley County Council, who had recommended amendments to the original document.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the original prepared budget with no amendments.

All town council members were in attendance along with town employee Rod Eaton, and Karen Rohlfing, clerk-treasurer and Larry Eaton, attorney for the town.

The next regular council meeting will be held October 14 at 7 p.m. at the Napoleon Senior Center.