Officials behind a proposed detour through Plymouth during the planned reconstruction of the Baker Ditch Crossing this summer have changed plans. The ditch crossing is east of the State Road 17 intersection and west of the interchange on U.S. 31.
City Engineer Rick Gaul told Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members this week that the plans have changed.
Three projects that will be funded with grant money from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs recently were reviewed by Culver Stellar Community members and Shannon McLeod from Priority Project Resources last week. Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist told the town council members this week that the overview of the applications for those projects are due today that include plans for the Culver Beach Lodge, Cavalier Park and Lake Max programming. The applications will undergo state and environmental review and historical preservation aspects.
An informational meeting for property owners in Marshall County’s historic districts is set for next week.
The meeting is expected to deliver information on economic development benefits of historic districts, locations of these districts in the county, the value of Main Street as a model for downtown development and Bremen’s experience with the program. In addition, information on grant and tax incentive opportunities will be given.
The Community Crossings funding for the Beech Road project in Marshall County is now available. Highway Supervisor Jason Peters told the county council Monday morning that the state’s portion will be $216,060 with the county’s match of $87,712.05. The invoice hasn’t been submitted yet but the project is ready for payment.
The Bremen Town Council members took action Monday night to approve two contracts with Umbaugh and Associates for upcoming utility projects.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said one contract is for storm water utilities and the other contract will be for a study of utilities for a proposed annexation project north of town.
The Culver Town Council members held the first reading of an ordinance that would annex 71 acres of property into the town.
The five contiguous parcels include 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10 owned by Thomas Beste. The annexation is for the purpose of a planned unit development (PUD).
The Plymouth Police Department will be getting two new police vehicles.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members approved a quote from Oliver Ford in Plymouth for two vehicles for the police department. The quote was for $28,150 per unit with two trade-ins. A 2011 Ford Crown Victoria will be traded in at a cost of $1,500 and a 2013 Dodge Charger will be traded in at a cost of $2,500.
Officials with the REES Theater project are looking for funds to reach a matching grant of $300,000 from the Regional Cities initiative.
About $1.5 million needs to be raised by March 31 for this grant. The total amount hoping to be collected is just over $3.6 million.
The members hope to stay on track for a grand reopening in 2020, just in time for the 80th anniversary of the theater.
The Plymouth Police Department is asking the public for information on the location of 26-year-old Aaron Sneed.
Sneed is wanted on several warrants and a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer. He is a Caucasian male, 5’10” and 145 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen driving a gray or silver Dodge full-size pickup truck with Indiana license plate number Tk114MYY. The pickup has a red tailgate.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of Aaron Sneed, call the Plymouth Police Department at 574-936-2126 or call 911.
The Marshall County Council members considered an additional appropriation for a fingerprinting machine for the probation department.
The Plymouth City Council members held the first reading of an ordinance Monday night that sets the pathway for funding the Aquatics Center, Early Childhood Learning Center and offices for the Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way organizations. They will be constructed on Miller Drive near the Lifeplex facility west of Plymouth.
A lot of snow has fallen in the Marshall County area this winter and the Town of Bremen is not immune to the effects.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the street department crews have worked hard to clear the streets and sidewalks of snow and ice. Piles of snow are being hauled away for better visibility and ease of traffic.
The Culver Town Council members opened bids Tuesday night for the proposed Damore Amphitheater project in the Culver Town Park.
Four bids were received with the lowest bid coming in with a base bid of $131,450. The separation between the lowest bid and the next lowest bid was merely $25. The highest base bid was $189,355.
The search continues for a county engineer.
The Marshall County Commissioners are looking for a candidate who is a licensed engineer who could help add expertise to the qualified staff already at the county highway. Commissioner Kurt Garner explained to the county council on Monday morning that they received three applications with two of the applicants possessing an engineer’s license. They offered a candidate with a license, 12 years of highway experience and the ability to assist the county with matrix technology to help the county’s focus on prioritizing maintenance on roads, but that candidate turned down an offer from the county. According to Commissioners Garner and Mike Delp, who even offered part of their salaries to add to the proposed pay rate, the candidate wasn’t sure he wanted to take the risk of having an divided council and commission vote on the position and the loss in pay.
The City of Plymouth User Fee Schedule Subcommittee members are reviewing department reports before bringing a recommendation for proposed user fee rate changes at an upcoming meeting.
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter told the Plymouth City Council members that he is waiting on information from the police department and the fire department. Those statistics are expected on Wednesday so the subcommittee can formulate a plan to proceed.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where council members are expected to open bids for the Damore Amphitheater. Amphitheater plans call for a covered stage and four rows of tiered grass seating with concrete retaining walls to be constructed in the Culver Town Park. Additional open seating areas would be available around the stage and under trees. The project was the recipient of a crowdfunding grant as well as grant funds from the Marshall County Community Foundation and state grant funding.
The Marshall County Council members will meet today where Highway Superintendent Jason Peters will discuss a probationary waiver of pay and Community Crossings fund.
Marshall County Museum Director Linda Rippy will provide a quarterly report to the council and Sheriff Matt Hassel will discuss the commissary budget.
The Marshall County Commissioners took action last week to approve extended hours for the purposes of tax collection as requested by Treasurer Angie Birchmeier.
The Marshall County Commissioners have authorized the sale of old law bookcases that are no longer needed.
When asking for additional space for a legal resource center in the courthouse, Circuit Court Judge Curtis Palmer told the commissioners that the bookcases in the basement are about 20 years old and are of no use to any attorneys or court personnel.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will meet tonight where the board members will have an update on the U.S. 30 and Baker Ditch bridges project as well as the Greenways Trail Phase II project from City Engineer Rick Gaul. Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson will have a grant application and a request for approval of substantial completion of the wastewater plant.
