Versailles Town Council hears complaint
Citizen issues letter about police treatment
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

It was standing room only at the Thursday, December 9, meeting of the Versailles Town Council. Most of those in attendance were in support of Frank (Bud) Davis, who had come to file a complaint against Town Marshal David Adams.

According to a letter Davis distributed to council members and then read, he and his daughter received unacceptable treatment when trying to get information on the stealing of his daughter's car by an escapee from the county jail.

The letter accused Marshal Adams of improper conduct and the use of inappropriate language in front of Davis' daughter.

Marshal Adams was present to hear the letter and to give a public apology to Davis for any inappropriate language he may have used during the situation. However, Davis did not accept the apology, nor change his feeling that Adams should be reprimanded or punished in some way.

An executive session followed the regular meeting to discuss the situation.

Present for the December meeting were Town Council President Sue Meisberger and Council Members John Holzer and Jim Taul. Also in official positions were Town Clerk-Treasurer Ted Spurlock, Town Marshal David Adams, Deputy Joe Mann, Street/Water Commissioner Kevin Hensley, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Mark Salyers, and Town Attorney Larry Eaton.

Among important information items, Clerk-Treasurer Spurlock updated council members on the process of applying for a grant from the state to improve the quality of water for the town. All Versailles residents on town water/sewage will be receiving income surveys and water quality postcards.

These should be completed and returned to the Town of Versailles. "The more we receive, the better are our chances of getting the grant," said Spurlock. Southeastern Indiana Re
gional Planning Commission is assisting with the project.

Mark Taulbee returned to the council meeting to inquire about the
town ordinance concerning parking trailers of any kind on public right of ways. He was informed that the town is in the process of completing the ordinance, which will be put into effect in 2005.

County Commissioner Chuck Folz was also present as a representative of the county interested in assisting the Town of Versailles in any way needed. It is his custom to at
tend the council meetings several times each year.

Fire Chief Richard Purvis reported 24 runs for the month of November, 12 of which were fire and 12 medical. His report for the year listed 232 runs, 112 of which were fire, 120 medical. Town council members signed the contract with the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department for fire protection for 2005 at an agreed upon $20,000 fee.

Town Marshal Adams spoke highly of the work of the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department, calling it as good as any in the state.

He also reported that the firing range is now complete and that the police department has purchased two storage trailers.

His monthly report for the Versailles Police Department included 20 citizens assisted, 15 warnings issued, 12 cases taken, 10 citations issued, 10 arrests, and 20 other types of activity.

Street/Water Commissioner Kevin Hensley told council members that the Versailles State Park will be starting on the new lift station so that the town can begin processing the sew
age.

Mark Salyers, plant manager at the wastewater treatment plant, reported that a gearbox no longer works, but will be replaced by the manufacturer.

Council members agreed unanimously to approve a request from Maxwell Properties to do a curb cut on Tanglewood Road for a separate entrance to the apartment buildings.

The apartment building on South High Street now belongs to another owner and will be maintained separately from the building on Tanglewood Road, which is still owned and maintained by Maxwell Properties.

Council members adjourned the December meeting at 8:12 p.m.