Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

Jennifer Armbrecht, Versailles, requested the county commissioners consider paying for the cost of tar removal from her vehicle after an incident involving work by the county near her place of employment on April 7. The request was made at the regular commissioner meeting on Monday, May 17.

According to Armbrecht, the Ripley County Highway Department was chipping and sealing a county road and a portion of the business’ parking lot in Friendship. When asked by the facilities director, a county employee stated the employees of the business did not need to move their vehicles.

As a result, four vehicles showed evidence of a very fine spray of tar on the roof, sides and rear of the vehicles. According to Armbrecht, the tar cannot be seen, but rather felt on the vehicle.

The commissioners requested Armbrecht get three estimates for the removal of tar and explained that they will only pay for the removal of tar on those four vehicles involved.

After visiting the property of Lisa Bradshaw, who presented a drainage complaint at the May 3 meeting, the commissioners determined that it was not an issue for the drainage board. According to Bradshaw’s complaint, a broken tile is causing ponding and erosion on her property in Osgood.

Julie Berry, Midwestern Engineering, provided three bids for Phase I environmental site assessment for the courthouse annex project. The commissioners unanimously approved the bid from ATC Engineering for $1100. According to Berry, ATC Engineering had previously worked on site assessment for the courthouse site for Indiana Department of Environmental Matters (IDEM).

Herman Strumpf, Osgood, requested the county install no parking signs near his property on North Finks Road near Devil’s Elbow. According to Strumpf, those who are parking on the road are trespassing on his property to fish in a creek. After consideration and consultation with the county attorney, the commissioners agreed to advise Strumpf to place No Trespassing signs on his property.

The Town of Versailles requested permission to install 20 mph signs along CR 50W near the Tyson Memorial Sports Complex. The commissioners unanimously approved the request. Ripley County Highway Department Supervisor Junior Heaton updated the commissioners on complaints of vehicles parking along the county road and causing property damage as well as blocking traffic during the grand opening of the sports complex on May 15.

County Attorney Neil Comer reminded the commissioners that parking on the county roads is not allowed. He advised the commissioners to send a letter to the Versailles Town Council regarding the situation.
The Ripley County Tourism received a grant for $1500 to pay for the cost of inspection of the stone arch bridges by Bill Condiff, who specializes in historic preservation of stone arch bridges. According to tourism director Katherine Taul, there is a balance of $650 yet to be covered. The commissioners unanimously approved the cost towards the inspection of the stone arch bridges.

All commissioners were in attendance along with county auditor Bill Wagner and county attorney Neil Comer to advise. The next meeting will be on Friday, May 28 due to the regular scheduled meeting is on a holiday. The meeting will begin at 7 a.m. at the Ripley County Highway Garage in Osgood and reconvene at 8 a.m. at the courthouse annex.