Historical artifacts offered to the town
Tax abatement requested for Sunman business
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

A Sunman business is expanding. Mike Czerniak recently bought back MS&J Quality Screw Machine Products, which he previously opened and sold. He now plans to add 10,000 square feet on to the current facility.

Czerniak appeared before the Sunman Town Council to request a tax abatement for the new addition and new equipment. The town granted Czerniak a ten-year abatement on the addition and five-year abatement on new equipment.

David Dreyer, who has many historical artifacts from his grandmother who is from the Sunman family for whom the town is named, has offered to donate some of them to the town. He brought along a sundial made by John Sunman in 1836. Wayne Jenner, town board president, encouraged volunteers who are interested in Sunman's history to come forward and work with Dreyer to help find a way to display the artifacts. Those interested can contact the town hall at 623-2066.

George Ammerman, who owns the post office building, was concerned because the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has painted yellow lines on Highway 101 near the new bank building which has decreased the parking available to his building. Wayne Jenner said he would speak to INDOT and ask them if they would allow parking in that area. Ammerman said he is looking at the possibility of putting a parking area on the north side of his building.

A public hearing on the budget was held Monday, August 23, at 9:00 a.m. The assessed value of the town is $30 million. The 2005 budget has been set for $406,332. The final adoption will take place at the regular board meeting on September 16.

Board member John Campbell and Clerk-Treasurer Kris Schneider will meet with Susan Craig, Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning, to begin the grant application process to purchase the town hall.

The board approved the drainage plans for the Raintree Project. This project will help keep storm water away from Eastern Avenue. It will be advertised for bids by the end of the month. Janis Kidd, engineer for Hannum, Wagle and Kline, will hold a pre-bid conference at the site on September 14. Bid opening will be September 28.

All three board members attended the meeting: Wayne Jenner, John Campbell and Mike Wolffe. Also present to advise the board were Attorney Jack Kellerman and Clerk-Treasurer Kris Schneider.

The next meeting of the Sunman Town Board will be September 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the new Sunman Town Hall.