Main Street Project outlined at Sunman
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Gary Duerstock and Tom Lewis from the Sunman Chamber of Commerce, presented the Sunman Town Council with an outline for the Main Street program at their November meeting. They would like to address the problem buildings one at a time with those on Meridian coming first. The Chamber would like a list of properties and their owners so a questionnaire about the available space could be handed out. Then when a prospective renter is in need of business space, they could be matched up with a landlord. Mike Wolff will represent the Council on this project.

The Sunman Town Council signed a letter of support for the Region 9 office of the Department of Commerce. The town has been very pleased with the support they get from the regional office. Since they were established, they are much more accessible to the town.

Council was made aware of the progress St. Nicholas is making on the sanitary sewer connection. Easements are now being attained and a "capacity" letter has been written to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Carl Bruns presented bids for the Raintree Project, the drainage problem on the east side of Sunman. The low bid was $17,090.00 from S&S Excavating. Council requested an itemized list from S&S.

Susan Craig from the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning office will be coming to the Sunman Town Hall on December 2. She will discuss the application process to purchase the former FCN bank building the town is now leasing.

Historian David Dryer reported the Ripley County Historical Society has some items from the Sunman Red Man's Lodge they are willing to part with. The Town has been given permission by FCN Bank to remove the existing teller cages and make room for the Sunman artifacts from David Dryer.

There is a lingering odor problem at the Holiday Homes subdivision. At their request, the town did smoke testing. It seems clear the problem lies with Holiday Homes. More investigating will be done.

There is an easement problem at Lot 177 in Trees Mobile Home Park. A new home placed there will encroach on an existing utility easement. The owners of the park are fully aware of the problem.

Council primarily adopted parking ordinance 2004-4. This ordinance allows for a parking fine of $15.00 for the first offense. Town Attorney Jack Kellerman will get with Marshal Mark Denny on the proper way to assist local businesses on enforcing the handicapped parking areas.

Marshal Denny received approval to purchase a new software program that diagrams traffic and crime scenes. The cost is $299.00. The new light bar is installed on the police car and is working well.

All three council members were present: Wayne Jenner, John Campbell and Mike Wolff. Attorney Jack Kellerman and Clerk-Treasurer Kris Schneider were there to advise the board. The next meeting of the Sunman Town Council will be December 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sunman Town Hall.