Osgood Town Board members make change
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Several citizens appeared at the Osgood Town Board meeting in support of retaining Sam Row as the town's representative on the Ripley County Area Planning Commission. Row is currently president of both the Ripley County Area Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Jerry Burton asked why the board wanted to replace Row when he was making good strides for the town.

Board member Linda Krinop stated that Row, whose appointment ends on December 31, has done a good job, but the board has received complaints about him from citizens and from people at the county level. Krinop stated the town will continue to clean up the town and continue working with the county.

County Planning Director Tad Brinson was present and described the job duties of the position. Gary Norman was asked if he would be interested in serving and Norman stated that he would. Norman was then nominated to serve as Osgood's representative on the Ripley County Area Planning Commission. Norman stated he appreciated the opportunity.

The meeting opened with the hearing for the Water Project on State Road 350. Julie Berry from Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning presented the project details. The town is applying to the Indiana Of fice of Rural Affairs for a $500,000 grant to replace the water main on State Road 350 and to loop their water system to Fairground Road.

Marshal Rodney Stepleton reported that Deputy Marshal Chuck Peters has turned in his resignation. An ad will be placed in the paper to fill the position.

Steve Wilhoit reported the Osgood Public Library ran into another snag with their storm drain system. The town donated a $500 catch basin to assist them with the problem. Jerry Burton and Jim Wagner both complimented the Street Department on clearing the streets after the snow.

David Mohler from Commonwealth Engineers was present to discuss the Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Project. Pay estimate #3 in the amount of $102,295.91 from Mitchell and Stark was approved for payment. There will be money left over to do some additional lining work. There will be approximately an additional 1,200 feet of pipe to be rehabed. The asphalt and seeding work will be put off until better weather.

The board approved the Utility Gas Management Agreement. By signing this agreement the town will be grouped with other towns to get better bulk rates and it will make it easier for Utility Gas Management to purchase the town's gas.

Suscom will be raising their rates effective January 1. Also, Suscom will be sold to Comcast.

A Cinergy representative contacted the Clerk-Treasurer concerning some lights that were installed approximately eight to ten years ago. These lights are located across the street from the Bull Pen. Cinergy stated that no one has been billed for the electricity for these lights. The board voted to have the lights removed.

Tad Brinson presented three ordinances for board approval: Ordinance 2005-14 amending the zone map definition and repealing the Farmstead Lot of the Area Zone Code; Ordinance 2005-15 amended the Area Subdivision Control Code; Ordinance 2005-16 amending the Area Zoning Code. The board adopted all three ordinances.

Tammy Wilhoit was reappointed to the Southeastern Indiana Regional Commission Board.

All three town board members were present: Jeff Volz, Paul Struckman, and Linda Krinop. Attorney Mary Ann Gay and Clerk-Treasurer Tammy Wilhoit were present to advise the board. The next regular meeting of the Osgood Town Board will be held on January 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Osgood Town Hall. An organizational meeting is scheduled for January 3 at 7:00 p.m.