The Marshall County Council members received copies of their budget for 2018 with more in-depth discussions set for later in August.
Auditor Julie Fox incorporated a three-percent increase in her figures as the council approved that amount in June. She asked the council to review it and put in numbers that coincide with council expenditures.
Drivers can expect lane closures on State Road 17 between State Road 14 in Fulton County and State Road 10 in Marshall County beginning Tuesday, July 18.
The Indiana Department of Transportation crews will repair and repave sections of the road for restoration. This work is anticipated to continue through the first part of August.
The Plymouth Community School Board held an additional appropriation hearing prior to the regular school board meeting on Tuesday night to gather public comments on the proposed bond to help pay for the corporation’s maintenance and improvement projects.
There was no public comment.
The Bourbon Street Department finalized their projects to be submitted for the state’s Community Crossing’s grant application.
Communities the size of Bourbon were encouraged to send in applications as the local match was dropped to 25 percent this year. Clerk-Treasurer Kimberly Berger told MAX 98.3 FM News that they will submit a list that benefits from a full $1 million grant match.
The Plymouth City Council considered a recommendation from Plymouth Fire Chief Rod Miller to purchase a new ambulance.
Chief Miller said two quotes came in after a request was made to gather figures for an ambulance chassis. He reviewed the specifications of each quote and both companies completed the required information on the bid sheets. Chief Miller recommended the lower quote from Crossroads Ambulance Service in Middlebury in the amount of $186,806. The council unanimously approved the quote.
The Triton School Board members this week board did approve a quote from SiteOne for a the mobile sprinkler system for the high school football field. The current system needs to be updated.
Superintendent Donna Burroughs said the board also discussed the disposal of old cafeteria tables.
The Bremen Town Council members and the Ambulance Board members have sent a notice out to collect bids for a new ambulance service.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said that the current EMS service will be given a 60-day notice around Aug. 1 in order for a new service to occupy the new building at 1237 Plymouth Street. He said the current company’s contract could be renewed if the company submits a bid approved by the town council.
Culver Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe and Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist went before the Marshall County Council to ask for a letter of support to include in their application for the Stellar Communities Designation Program grant.
Munroe mentioned that the town is attempting to show that the town is working with the county and that the county can benefit from the projects that are proposed in the Stellar Communities plan. The commissioners have already approved an in-kind donation of the installation of one mile of the walking/biking trail through the Culver Town Park and around Lake Maxinkuckee. The township is also putting forth support of the Cavalier Sports Center for upgrades and additions to the facilities at the Culver Community School Corporation. Several local and county organizations have offered grant match money for the various projects in the plan as well as in-kind donations and volunteer efforts.
The Culver Town Council discussed the purchase of the Culver Movie Theater and received two proposals that will give the council and the Culver Redevelopment Commission a better idea of what to expect in terms of costs.
Town Manager Jonathan Leist presented proposals from the Troyer Group and SRKM that he said include plans for a public meeting to gather comments on the uses for the theater, a preliminary project budget for outlaying the capital costs for repairs on the building, a structural engineering assessment of the building, and a basic outline for a business plan with annual expenses versus revenue expenses for whatever concept may occupy the building.
The recent storm activity has left crews in Bremen cleaning up debris.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said the street and utility crews have been picking up tree limbs and brush since Monday morning’s storm brought fierce winds. Thirty trees fell during the storms and work is being done to rid the area of the mess after that impact.
The Triton School Board graciously accepted a healthy memorial donation for student scholarships during their meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Donna Burroughs said the donation came from Compton trust in memory of two life-long Triton supporters.
“This scholarship donation was in the amount of $188,611. I think that’s just awesome that they want to support the school. The interest will be given away each year in the form of scholarships for kids who are planning to pursue the study of some trade,” said Burroughs.
Four bids were received by the Plymouth City Council Monday night for the Richter Road water main extension project.
The lowest bid was submitted by Haskins Underground, Inc. in Plymouth in the amount of $124,605. The highest bid was $257,812 from out of South Bend. The council voted unanimously to take the bids under advisement. They will be reviewed by City Attorney Sean Surrisi, City Engineer Rick Gaul and Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson. A recommendation will be brought before the city council during their next meeting on July 24.
The Marshall County Council received the proposed list of roads to be submitted for consideration for a $1 million Community Crossings grant during their meeting Monday morning.
Commissioner Kurt Garner noted that one project was omitted from the plan.
The Plymouth City Council approved additional appropriations to compensate raises for police officers and to fund the city’s match toward the Community Crossings Grant should the city be awarded.
A public hearing concerning the appropriation requests was held with no comments from residents. The city council members went on to approve a resolution that covers the salary increase for the police department and the pension amounts. $10,000 was approved for the increase in pension and $80,000 for the police department salary increase.
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight. Town Manager Jonathan Leist will present his report which will include an update on the Stellar Communities Designation Program grant.
Council President Ginny Bess Munroe appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners last week where the county governing body agreed to support the town’s quest in becoming a stellar community. Munroe said the Town of Culver was looking to show a united front with the county to include in their finalist packet due by Aug. 25.
The Plymouth Community School Board will meet tonight. This will be the first regular school board meeting with the corporation’s newly installed superintendent, Andrew Hartley.
The board will consider the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center nurses contract for 2017-2018 and revisions to the classified staff conditions of employment. An agreement for residential services will be discussed as well as an appointment to the library board and the local bargaining unit MASE Insurance Trustee.
Gas prices will drop a few cents this week thanks to lower crude oil prices last week.
Gasbuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says there was a spike in gas prices just after the Fourth of July holiday.
“The statewide average was about $2.15 on July 4th and now it has jumped to about $2.31,” said DeHaan. “Looking a today versus a week ago prices average $2.31 a gallon today across the state. A week ago prices averaged $2.18 so we’re looking at a pretty big increase at over $.10 a gallon.”
A North Liberty woman was booked into the Marshall County Jail after she was allegedly driving her vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Marshall County Sheriff’s deputies received a phone call shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday about a driver hitting a parked car in the parking lot at the LaPaz Café. When officers arrived at the scene they say they found Melody Farnsworth passed out behind the wheel.
Marshall County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters said crews are going to work on 20th Road east of State Road 331 with wedging and paving before the crews take a few days to prep for chip and seal work.
Marshall County Commissioner Kurt Garner will appear before the Marshall County Council members to offer the county’s road plan for the Community Crossings grant.
The commissioners approved the list last week and intend to have the input of the council and MACOG before submitting the final list to the state for consideration. The match is 75/25 this year and will be more competitive as smaller communities will be able to put in their project proposals as the local match is lower than in past years.
