Sidewalk Improvement Project moves forward
Osgood residents say junkyard has to go
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

It was the "Junkyard Wars" at the Osgood Town Board meeting held March 16, at the Osgood Town Hall.

Several citizens came to complain about the junkyard located behind the Integra Bank on Eckert Street. DeDee Holliday, who owns two businesses past the junkyard, said the road is blocked and customers can't get to her businesses. She also reported there are bolts and debris in the road that cause tires to be punctured and is a safety issue.

Other business people who are affected by the junkyard and were in attendance were Anita Vollmer, Mary and Bob DeBurger, Shirley Franklin and neighbor Kathy Wagner. Several people spoke out and wanted to know why something couldn't be done. "It has been a problem for years and it isn't getting any better," said one neighbor.

Marshal Rodney Stepleton said he has been giving tickets when the trucks block the road, but they are thrown out by the Versailles Town Court. Town Board member Linda Krinop said she spoke to Planning Director Tad Brinson and Planning Commission President Sam Row. They said they needed pictures and proof to take into court and advised the neighbors to document everything.

Bill Lutz, who leases the junkyard, was there with his employees. He said they have been trying to clean up the property, but it takes time. He says he is doing the best he can. Lutz said he has spent $210,000 so far to clean it up.

Town board member Paul Struckman told Lutz when he took over the property a year ago, he was supposed to clean up 100' so that trucks would be able to load and unload off the road. Struckman said, "You haven't kept your part of the
bargain. Now, I'm going to do everything I can to close you down."

In other business, the board adopted their three year EDIT plan. It states how the Economic Development Income Tax monies can be spent.

The town is planning an annex
ation of property. In order to annex, the town has to prepare a fiscal plan. A work session, open to the public, will be held at the town hall on March 23 at 6:00 p.m.

The Osgood Focus Group is working with the Reynolds Foundation to continue the Sidewalk Im
provement Project. The next streets to receive sidewalks will be North Maple, Cherry Street and Sycamore. The cost is $85,078.

There may be a new bakery locating in Osgood. Carrie Miller, along with her mother Kathy Kroger, are looking for a location. They have a survey available at osgoodbakery.com to complete regarding the business.

Jim Wagner, a member of the Osgood 2006 committee, said their next meeting is April 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the basement of the Osgood United Methodist Church. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Present at the meeting were board members, Jeff Volz, Paul Struckman and Linda Krinop, as well as Clerk-Treasurer Gary Norman and Attorney Mary Ann Gay. The next regular meeting of the Osgood Town Board will be April 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the Osgood Town Hall.