Members of the Bourbon Town Council will make an effort to attend informational meetings concerning the Community Crossings Grant on Wednesday, May 31.
The meeting conducted by staff members from INDOT’s LaPorte District office will release information about what projects are eligible for grant funding, how to submit projects for matching funds, deadlines for project submissions, timelines for distributing funds and development of an asset manager plan.
The Culver Community School Board will have an update on the Stellar Communities designation program given by Culver Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe when the school board meets tonight.
The board also plans to receive information from the BPA students on their recent appearance at the National Leadership Conference in Florida.
The Bremen Redevelopment Commission donated $35,000 to the Bremen Community School Corporation to purchase equipment for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students.
Bremen School Superintendent Dr. Jim White said the RDC funded the purchase of a shop bot which is a popular piece of equipment that the STEM students use in the shop.
Workers with the Bourbon Wastewater Department will be conducting smoke testing to find an infiltration problem in the system.
According to Clerk-Treasurer Kimberly Berger, storm water is getting into the sanitary sewer system which means the town is treating rain water. The workers will use the smoke technique to narrow down the issue and make necessary repairs.
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety awarded bids for spring projects this week.
Walsh and Kelly out of South Bend will be doing the street and sidewalk projects. The bid of $431,432.25 was the lowest submitted bid that met all of the project specifications as reviewed by City Attorney Sean Surrisi and City Engineer Rick Gaul. Four companies provided bids for the projects which include: Jefferson from the Yellow River Bridge to Kingston, Plum Street from Washington to Jackson, PIDCO Drive from Jim Neu to Oak Road, and Markley from Shamrock to Western.
Students who speak English as a second language will have a program to help them develop college-level English language and study skills.
Ancilla College is launching a new program this fall to support these students to assist them in being successful at the school. Specially designed classes at Ancilla will expand language knowledge and communication skills that align with the liberal arts curriculum and the Ancilla College English Language Program (ACEL).
It’s a summer tradition that continues to grow in the Culver area. The Culver Farmer’s Market is set to open for the summer season today.
Fresh, local foods will be featured along with crafts, baked goods, artisan jewelry, honey, plants, popcorn, eggs, jellies and jams, and homemade ice cream.
The Culver Farmer’s Market is open today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The summer operation hours will include Tuesday evenings beginning May 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
The Bourbon Town Council reviewed a proposal of a zoning change recommended by the planning commission to make way for a new Dollar General store on U.S. 331 south of U.S. 30.
Several people were in attendance to hear the discussion, according to Clerk-Treasurer Kimberly Berger. She said that many people were in favor of the zoning change from residential to general business on a parcel in the 1400 block of N. Main Street in order to move the process forward.
The county will receive funds for the emergency management agency director’s salary.
Marshall County EMA Director Clyde Avery asked the county council this week for permission to apply for the 2016 performance grant. Avery explained that the grant will pay for half of his salary from last year in the amount of $22,000. It’s an annual grant that the county receives every year as Avery qualifies for certain requirements during the year. The council approved the request and complimented him on his continued efforts as head of the EMA.
Outside work at the Rees Theater in Plymouth will be starting soon.
The Wythougan Valley Preservation Council members presented a request to the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety this week asking to block off a few parking spaces on Michigan and LaPorte Streets for a portion of the work. While the board members approved that request, the preservation council members will need to present a similar request to the Indiana Department of Transportation as Michigan Street is considered a state highway.
Bremen Trash Days will be today and tomorrow from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said it’s a good time for Bremen residents to do some spring cleaning.
Residents in the town of Culver will be able to rid properties of unwanted items during Saturday’s town-wide clean up day.
Items will be taken for disposal at the lot by the water tower on Lake Shore Drive. Dumpsters will be provided for the many items that will be accepted for the clean up day. Hazardous material and tires will NOT be accepted.
One of Plymouth’s most popular Saturday morning features comes back into season this Saturday at the River Park Square.
Tom Keb says the Plymouth Farmer’s Market will have plenty of vendors on hand for shoppers to get some things for the start of spring and for Mother’s Day.
Thirteen Plymouth High School seniors recently received Statewide Transfer General Education Core (STGEC) certificates in an Ivy Tech commencement ceremony at the University of Notre Dame.
The students fulfilled general education requirements while in high school in order to receive this certification. According to Jennifer Felke, Weidner School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School Co-Director, the partnership between the Plymouth Community School Corporation and Ivy Tech allowed students to earn 30 credit hours in this program which can be transferred to any state public school and possibly some private schools. The value of this certificate is close to $25,000 which is equivalent to a college freshmen year of tuition, room and board.
A reduction in funds as mandated by the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) will leave the Marshall County Highway Department short in available funds this year.
The Marshall County Council was notified of the reduction at the beginning of April, but decided to hold off on approving the action until Highway Supervisor Jason Peters and Highway Administrator Laurie Baker could review their budget to determine where to make those cuts.
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter signed an executive order at the end of April that restricts the placement of small wireless devices and the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety took further action on that document.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi said a state law passed in the final days of the General Assembly broadens access to government-owned right-of-way for the placement of cell phone antennae on poles of 50 feet or less. There was a provision in the law that the city wouldn’t have any review process over the location of those poles unless it is in a designated area for underground utilities.
The Triton School Board took action Monday night to approve vendor contracts to complete several capital projects planned during the summer months.
Sidewalks will be replaced and some of the flooring will be replaced in the high school. Superintendent Donna Burroughs said some of the flooring hadn’t been replaced since the building was constructed in 1963.
The Bremen Town Council members are getting closer to the point to approve a contract for a new EMS service.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the current ambulance contract will expire this summer and the council will accept bids for a new ambulance service. The council will meet with the ambulance board next week to go over specifications for a new contract. A new ambulance company is expected to be in place this fall.
The Bremen School Board members are looking to save money in a lighting upgrade project.
Superintendent Dr. Jim White said the project will make quite a difference.
“We are converting to LED lighting which will save us tremendously on energy costs,” said Dr. White. “Given the retrofit cost I’m anticipating saving about $20,000 annually in energy and it will have about a three-and-a-half year payback. The life of the bulbs is anywhere between eight to 12 years. We anticipate having that done by the end of the summer.”
Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist updated the town council on the Stellar Communities application when they met Tuesday night.
The letter of intent and supporting documents were turned in by the April 28 deadline. The town council members will learn if the town is a finalist on May 24.
