Bourbon Property on Hold for Demolition

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The demolition of a property in Bourbon unfit for human habitation may come down Oct. 1.

Marshall County Attorney James Clevenger told the county commissioners Monday morning that the bank placed a stay of demolition on the property that expired on Sept. 15. A motion to extend the stay another 45 days was filed in the court system, but the county quickly filed an objection stating that enough time has elapsed for work to be done. A judgment has not been filed in the case as of Wednesday, Sept. 20.

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Marshall County Commissioners Adopt Ordinance for LaPaz Property Rezoning Request

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A public hearing was held on Monday concerning the rezoning of a property in LaPaz for the opportunity of economic development on a property located just north of U.S. 6 in LaPaz by the new interchange. The zoning classification would go from A-1 Agriculture to a C-2 Highway Commercial District zone.

Plan Director Ralph Booker explained to the Marshall County Commissioners that the rezoning would extend the highway business district in that area for economic development. No commitments were made as part of the zoning request, but six acres is available to improve economic development in the town. The state owns several other parcels in that area.

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Marshall County Commissioners Approve Money for Fire Monitoring System

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Marshall County Maintenance Director Doug Masterson approached the commissioners Monday morning with an emergency situation with the fire monitoring system at the Marshall County Museum.

Masterson explained that the system failed on Thursday and needs to be replaced. He added that Marshall County Historical Society Museum Director Linda Rippy contacted the NoBi Corporation out of Elkhart to get a quote to replace the fire monitoring system. The company representative gave her an estimate of $5,935.

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J-Turns Not a Favorable Solution in Argos

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Over 100 people attended a public hearing hosted by officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation Tuesday night at the Argos Junior/Senior High School to address the proposal of a J-turn intersection at U.S. 31 and State Road 10 in Argos.

Troyer Group Project Manager Chris Maidner presented statistics on why a J-turn would be a quicker, cheaper safety alternative at that intersection and provided an example of a J-turn intersection at State Road 114 and 41 in the Morocco area. Their statistics show a reduction in personal injury crashes anywhere from 50 to 100 percent, along with a reduction in the number of victims help after truck accident. Studies by INDOT and the Troyer Group found that the J-turn intersections can be utilized by large semi-trucks, school buses, farm equipment, horse and buggies, and large trailers without issue. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners Adopt Solar Energy Systems Zoning Amendment

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Commissioners adopted an amendment to the zoning ordinance concerning solar energy systems. According to the amendment, a solar energy system is a device that captures daylight for “interior lighting or provide for the collection, storage, or distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electricity generation, or water heating.”

Plan Director Ralph Booker explained that he and Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt have gotten permit requests for solar energy systems in Bremen. There wasn’t much to the permitting process or the zoning requirement for the systems, but a public hearing was held Monday morning to set regulations.

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Bourbon Town Council Working to Clean up Properties

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Bourbon Town Council is working to clean up blighted properties.

According to Clerk-Treasurer Kimberly Berger, she received load hauling tickets showing debris removal on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8 and the old Shell station.

The town has been working with Karen Holm in cleaning up her properties. The council has an agreement in place with Holm in that she has until Nov. 15 to show progress.

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Marshall County Building Commissioner Announces Record Year

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Marshall County Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt and his staff is keeping busy this construction season with several hundred permits issued this year. That’s what he reported to the Marshall County Commissioners this week.

“We have over $25 million in permit values and we have 405 building permits and over 110 electric permits. That gives us about 600 permits that we’ve issued so far this year. We’re on track to have the busiest year we’ve ever had,” said DeWitt.

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Solar Energy Ordinance Coming Soon

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Building Inspector asked the commissioners for permission this week to attend a workshop next month on renewable energy including solar power and generators.

Chuck DeWitt mentioned that an ordinance regarding solar panels will be coming soon to Culver and to Marshall County that will permit small, medium and large solar energy systems. He said the ordinance will include safety for the public and first responders when installing solar energy systems and education on when a power outage occurs. Continue reading →

Marshall County Can Move Forward with Reestablishing Cumulative Capital Development Fund

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Officials with the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) have ruled that the Marshall County Commissioners can move forward with reestablishing the Cumulative Capital Development Fund at its maximum rate.

In a decision handed down on Aug. 31, DLGF officials approved the levying of a tax in the amount of $.0333 per $100 of assessed valuation in 2018. The rate must be advertised and the amount must be properly appropriated in the 2018 budget.

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Lack of Interest Causes Grant Application, Non-Profit Fund Creation to Stall

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A potential funding source for those suffering losses not eligible for FEMA funds after a natural disaster has been tabled due to lack of support.

Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery told the commissioners on Tuesday morning that five people responded to eight notices sent out to create a board of directors for this endeavor, but only three members attended the first meeting. The goal of the proposed 501(C)(3) organization was to generate donations by a variety of fundraisers to sustain the fund. The money would then be distributed after applications were reviewed in the event of a catastrophic event.

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Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Marshall County Commissioners (L to R) Mike Delp, Kevin Overmyer, Kurt Garner

The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today where the commissioners will receive an update from projects at the highway department. The board will also hear from Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery about his quarterly activities. County Attorney James Clevenger will provide an update on several items when he delivers his report.

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Marshall County 4-H Fair Board Association Approves Agreement with County

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A subrecipient agreement was approved and signed by members of the Marshall County 4-H Fair Board Association this week. The agreement is between the fair board and the Marshall County Commissioners that outlines the responsibilities of ownership and funding associated with a proposed multi-use building to be constructed on the fairgrounds in Argos.

The proposed structure is an 8,000 square foot steel frame building that will feature drywall and concrete flooring. It will accommodate a seating capacity up to 400 people. There will be 4,400 square feet of open space to hold wedding receptions or other large gatherings, a 30-person meeting room in the front of the building and regular building features such as a kitchenette and restrooms.

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Marshall County Bridge Projects Moving Along

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

One Marshall County bridge is almost complete while another is in the design phase.

Ben Beer from USI Consultants told the Marshall County Commissioners on Monday that Bridge #174, or Apple Road Bridge, is nearly complete.

“They should have everything completed this week,” said Beer. “They’re paving and putting up guardrail and seeding and then they’ll be out of there. There are no change orders. Everything was within budget.”

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Two Roads Closed Wednesday for Fog Seal Operation

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Two Marshall County roads will be closed today so county highway crews can perform fog sealing operations.

Marshall County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters told the county commissioners on Monday that Overmyer Drive and Pioneer Drive recently underwent chip and seal road work and now the final fog seal will be applied that will help extend the condition of the road. Striping of the road will occur next week.

The roads will reopen as soon as the fog seal coating is dried. Peters suggested that it would take roughly two hours to properly seal.

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Commissioners Review Multi-Purpose Building Plans

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Commissioners received an update on the progress on plans for a multi-purpose building to be built on the 4-H Fairgrounds in Argos.

Shannon McLeod with Priority Project Resources went over the paperwork and process for the proposed building that will act as a building to host many public events in the Marshall County area. The project has been scaled down to an 8,000 square foot building with a steel frame building. The interior will feature drywall and concrete flooring. It will accommodate a seating capacity up to 400 people.

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Marshall Co. Commissioners Support Highway Dept. Request for Funds

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Highway Department will be asking the county council for some additional funds and money transfers in order to pave more county roads this season.

Highway Supervisor Jason Peters told the county commissioners that he’ll be requesting $550,000 to $600,000 in an additional appropriation before the county council on Monday, Sept. 11. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Marshall County Commissioners (L to R) Mike Delp, Kevin Overmyer, Kurt Garner

The Marshall County Commissioners will discuss the construction of a multi-purpose building at the Marshall County Fairgrounds in Argos when they meet this morning.

Shannon McLeod will be before the governing body to discuss the project spearheaded by the Marshall County 4-H Fair Association. The association was applying for an OCRA grant in the amount of $500,000 to assist in the construction of the building that the members hope will host many functions including wedding receptions, meetings and other community-type gatherings. The county will act as a pass-through vehicle for the purpose of obtaining the grant. County Attorney Jim Clevenger will present a memorandum of understanding between the county and the association that states that the county is not financially liable for this project.

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Plymouth Bridge to Be Named after the Late Tom Chamberlin

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter appeared before the Marshall County Commissioners last week to request the renaming of a bridge in Plymouth.

Even though the Michigan Street bridge is in the city it is under the county jurisdiction. He asked that the bridge be renamed the Thomas Chamberlin Memorial Bridge. Chamberlin served the community with honor as the county sheriff for many years and a leader in other respects. He passed away Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 after a battle with cancer.

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