Versailles Council approves two annexations
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Among the business items at the Thursday, June 10, meeting of the Versailles Town Council was the addition of two subdivisions to the town.

President Sue Meisberger and members John Holzer and Jim Taul passed ordinances to annex Phase 4 of the Harvest Ridge subdivision and the property where Eagle's Landing will be built. The ordinances included a resolution to extend town services to those areas.

Other town officials present at the June meeting in Versailles Town Hall were Clerk-Treasurer Ted Spurlock, Town Attorney Larry Eaton, Water/Street Superintendent Kevin Hensley, Town Marshal David Adams, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Mark Salyers.

Reporting for the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department, Brian Evans said the department's insurance protection rating has increased from #7 to #5, an advantage for property and industry owners. He reported activity for May to be 14 fire and 11 medical calls for a total of 25 runs.

So far in June the VFD has made 29 runs, 16 fire and 13 medical. Evans also spoke of the grant from the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to provide a PASS device, an alarm system for each firefighter's protection. This is a 50/50 matching grant program.

Concerning the new wastewater treatment plant, Mark Salyers reported receiving one gearbox replacement with the other one to be checked on by the company. During one of the recent storms, lightning damage occurred in the head works and circuit board, Salyers said.

An open house for the new plant is scheduled for Sunday, July 11, from 2:00 till 4:00 p.m. Town officials will be present for tours, and refreshments will be served.

Marshal David Adams noted both he and Deputy Marshal Joe Mann have received the tasers the town ordered. Both are certified to carry and use the tasers.

In his report for May, Marshal Adams listed 20 warnings issued and 20 citizens assisted, in addition to 41 other police department activities. He spoke of the need of additional officers and reserves as well as an office worker.

Water/Street Superintendent Kevin Hensley reported that smoke testing of sewers is scheduled for the
next two weeks. The small lift station has had to be replaced at the sewer plant.

In updating the council on the drainage problem at a property on Main Street, Hensley said the engineers believe adding some loads of dirt to the affected area and grading it will eliminate the problem.

Hensley requested an additional $6,400 for patching on Washington Street. Council members agreed with a motion from Taul, a second by Holzer, and a 3-0 vote. Funding for the additional 6,000 feet of blacktop might have to come from the town's Rainy Day Fund, they said.

During the public input, two residents complained about a fence that has been put on alley right-of-way between Main and Monroe streets. Hensley agreed the fence is on town property, and Attorney Eaton will call the person who installed the fence to have it moved.

Carl Moore, deputy director, and Karen Anderson, resources director, of LifeTime Resources presented town council members with handouts and a request for $1,000 to be budgeted for this not-for-profit agency in the 2005 budget Anderson explained that revenue comes from the towns, organizations, and agencies in a five-county area that LifeTime Resources serves. Last year 72,794 units were served in Ripley County.

Services include the 2-1-1 call center for information referral; case management; pre-assessment screening; ombudsman; meal sites; home-delivered meals; in-home services; legal aid, guardianship, transportation, and the Older Workers Program.

In other business during the June meeting,

* Clerk-Treasurer Spurlock reported Friendship Bank has purchased the bonds for the wastewater project at $80,000 a year;

* Council voted 3-0 to approve and continue the tax abatement for Ohio Rod Products, Inc.;

* A request from the Ripley County Economic Development Corp. for 12% of the town's EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) received 3-0 approval;

* Council agreed that the Versailles Lions Club and the Leora Weare Post #173 of the American Legion will be permitted to use the town square on Saturday, June 27, for the annual chicken barbecue and car show.

Clerk-Treasurer Spurlock will be attending a budget workshop on August 4. Council members, Attorney Eaton, and Spurlock will be working on the 2005 budget during the next few weeks.