Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
The Bourbon Town Council Approved Social Media Resolution 2022-3 assuring that the town follows case law compliance to freedom of speech while sharing information from the town’s website and updates on social media forums.
LPA Consulting Contract — VS Engineering LLC was approved for engineering work on the sidewalks on Liberty St. and from Shafer St. to Main St. in the amount of $124,300. The Indiana Department of Transportation is contributing $400,000 in support of the Stellar – Safe Routes to School Project. Actual construction on the project will not begin until 2024.
Morris & Sons Roofing was approved to complete repair work on the roof over the Town Hall and the Fire Station.
Pay app #4 was approved in the amount of $76,902.73 to Haskins Underground Inc. for work they completed on the east and south lift stations. That funding came out of the Stellar Grant.
The council approved Clerk Treasurer Kim Berger’s claims #4238 to #4327 in the amount of $516,120.94.
Berger also informed the council of a sidewalk request at 300 Arnold Street from the sidewalk program to replace 150 feet of sidewalk. The town’s portion of that covering half of the cost is $2,603. The council approved the funding out of the $5,000 balance in that fund.
The Marshall County Council on Aging requested funding in the amount of $2,000 to support the county wide program. The council approved the request.
The property at 408 E. Liberty that caught on fire last spring was supposed to have substantial work done by the end of October of last year. Berger has received several complaints regarding the condition of the property.
Zoning Department Head Chuck DeWitt informed the council that he had not been there to inspect the property on-site as yet. Attorney Alex Hoover advised the council that the property is becoming a potential liability risk for the town. DeWitt will be working with Hoover toward remedy.
Berger also addressed time constraints on renting the Matchett Center out back to back. She requested that the council consider changing the rental policy to accommodate more time to clean the venue and consider security issues.
President Ward Byers recommended that the council review the ordinance and to discuss possible charges for security provided by a Bourbon Law Enforcement Officer. The council planned to schedule a work session with Bourbon Police Chief Bill Martin to prepare for a proposed amendment to review during the May meeting.
Pastor Matthew Cottrill from Bourbon United Pentecostal Church and Daycare Director of Kids Kingdom Daycare Andrea Hart approached the council during patron’s comments to discuss rezoning of the property located at 502 Shaffer Road to transfer Kids Kingdom Daycare. The provider has outgrown the current facility located at the church at 201 N. Bourbon St.
Residents Tricia Campbell and Becky Westafer expressed concerns including increased traffic and the impact of a commercial building in a residential area.
Ultimately DeWitt will be mailing letters to those residents will be impacted by the potential rezoning. The issue will be addressed through the Plan Commission during the May meeting. The entire process could take several months including a public hearing.
The council will meet on Monday, May 9 rather than Tuesday, May 10 next month.
