Properties in violation of weed and junk ordinances
Osgood resident complains about junk
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Junk was an issue at the May Osgood Town Board meeting. Jerry Burton was present at the meeting to complain about junk on properties on North Elm Street, Cardinal Lane and Leslie Street. He stated if the town is not going to do anything about it, he would start his own junkyard on property he owns on Sycamore Street.

Gary Norman, the town’s representative on the Ripley County Area Planning Commission, was present and reported there are properties in town in violation of the weed and junk ordinances. Norman and Steve Wilhoit, street superintendent, inspected these properties and letters have been sent to the owners.

Council explained to Burton that letters have already been sent to those in violation, which allowed them 15 days to correct the situation. After the 15 days have expired if nothing has happened, then it will be turned over to the Ripley County Planning Commission for further action.
Burton was not satisfied with the process and stated he was not going to wait 15 days and he would begin moving junk on his property on Sycamore ‘tomorrow.’ Burton does not live at this property, but rents it out.

Board member Linda Krinop stated our “2006 celebration was coming up and she would like to see things cleaned up.” Burton said he didn’t care about the 2006 celebration and he would have his property on Sycamore Street looking really ‘nice’ with his junkyard.

Osgood citizen Benny Eadler suggested the town give an award for the “Dumpiest Place in Osgood.” He said pictures of these places should be taken and published in the newspaper. He thought that would embarrass people enough to clean their property up.

Students from Jac-Cen-Del attended to read their “If I Were Mayor” stories. Three students were chosen to send their essays to the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Essay Contest. They were Katelyn Felix, Dustin Wagner and Allie Shinkle. The town gave each student $25 as a reward for being chosen.

Steve Wilhoit, gas superintendent, still does not know the total cost of the master meter damage. Six valves need to be replaced. Those valves have already been purchased. Wilhoit reported on the Street Department. They are doing come ditching by Harlan Street. He spoke with Dave O’Mara regarding black topping. The cost is currently $60 a ton. They normally pay about $40 a ton. There is not enough money to do all the paving that is needed. Council will go look at the streets before they make a decision.

Marshal Rodney Stepleton reported he had done some demonstrations with his police dog. He stated the insurance company was going to total the police car at $10,500. If they keep the car, they would pay $8,200. Estimates were given for a new car at $23,635. Council decided to discuss this more before deciding what to do. Also, Stepleton was told he could only keep one police dog.

In other business: Ordinance 2006-4 was passed. It authorizes the appropriation of the Regional Revenue Sharing Fund of $125,000 and the Economic Development Income Tax Fund of $165,000.
An addendum between the Town and Linkel Company was accepted. Linkel will continue to provide trash collection for all residential and commercial units within the town for $55,334 effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

The Economic Development Income Tax Improvement Plan, which is for Infrastructure Improvements and Machinery for Provisions of Community Service, was adopted. It is for 2007 through 2009.
Best Metal Finishing Compliance with Statement of Benefits was presented for the Council’s signature. It was tabled for further review.

David Stoneking, representing the Ripley County Repeater Association, requested permission to place a backup radio repeater on the water tower on Tanglewood Road. Council will have to check with Water Superintendent Chuck Gill and the town’s attorney.

Henrietta Lay, representing the “2006” Committee, asked for several streets to be closed from August 30 through September 4. They are: Walnut-Franklin to O&M both sides; Ripley-Walnut to Buckeye; and the parking lot by the Card & Gift Gallery. Jerry Vollmer also had more streets he wanted closed, but Lay did not know what those were. Council and the Fire Chief asked her to put a map together to where the vendors would be setting, because there is an emergency and fire protection concern.

All three town board members were present: Jeff Volz, Paul Struckman and Linda Krinop. Clerk-Treasurer Tammy Wilhoit was present to advise the board. The next regular meeting of the Osgood Town Board will be June 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Osgood Town Hall.