Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

At a standing room only session of the Versailles Town Board regular meeting on Thursday, November 9, the past, present and future of the town met face-to-face.

Kristen Taylor, representing CVS Drug Stores, was present to request rezoning to finalize the proposed 10,000 square foot freestanding store at U.S. 50 and Adams Street.

Danessa Benkie, of the Ripley County Planning Commission, advised the board that the commission had given CVS a favorable recommendation. “It was a leap of faith,” Benkie said, because some neighbors of the property are concerned about signage, lights and traffic. Taylor said that due to a local ordinance, any signage would have to be 15' from the right-of-way. Town board president, Sue Meisberger, asked if the signage could be on the store itself. Taylor replied, “That’s another option and may be preferable.”

Town board member, John Holzer, stated that his concern is from a historical preservation standpoint. Benkie submitted, “They (CVS) can do what the town wants.” The zoning change was approved unanimously.

In other development business, Mike Hall, a civil engineer based in Lawrenceburg, approached the town board concerning approximately 90 acres behind Woods Farm Supply. Hall’s proposal is to build a residential development on the property. Lots would be approximately one acre each.

Kent Abraham, director of the Southeast Field Office of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, addressed the board regarding the recent purchase of two homes in Versailles. The two parcels Abraham referred to were the Benham Home, a red brick home on Main Street listed on the county’s historical register, and the small white house, circa 1870, directly behind it. Abraham noted that the two adjoining pieces of property are situated in an area that is ripe for development which is, in his line of work, a red flag. He went on to say that these structures define the core of the character of Versailles. While the new owner, Scott Neal, told Abraham in casual conversation that he is not in the business of development, Abraham wanted civic leaders to be aware of the potential for development not in keeping with what the town might want in the long run.

Board member, Jim Taul, asked “What do you think we can do?” Abraham commented that the space would lend itself to “soft” commercial development such as offices or retail, and supplied, “There are various tools my kind of organization can bring to bear,” such as a 10% tax rebate for refurbishing the buildings in a historically correct manner. Taul responded, “I don’t know what kind of influence we could exert.” Abraham suggested that the board could assist in bringing together people in the town, using civic leadership to “ply the waters” to ascertain what kind of development is appropriate.

Danessa Benkie supported Abraham’s ideas saying, “It’s good for us to put on our thinking caps,” and quipped, “Considering how many people are here tonight, it might make a great town hall!” Benkie also praised Abraham’s earlier efforts on behalf of Versailles, informing the board, “It was Kent who brought Tyson Temple state recognition.”

Also coming before the board, on behalf of the Versailles Senior Center, were Robert and Dorothy Kimball. As reported in the Osgood Journal, LifeTime Resources is cutting off meal services to the center as of December 1. Robert Kimball told the board that the center belongs to the seniors, and participants chafe under LifeTime’s imposed rules. Kimball gave as examples not allowing them to serve disabled people under 60 and charging family members $8 apiece for meals. Board member, John Holzer, questioned “What do you want us to do?” Kimball responded emotionally, “This is your community, your center, your older people.”

Town Treasurer, Ted Spurlock, noted that both the Town of Versailles and the Tyson Foundation have contributed to LifeTime Resources to benefit the Versailles Senior Center. Spurlock went on to say that he had spoken with a LifeTime representative regarding the building issues cited as reasons for closing the meal site. He said that when told there was money available to fix it up, he got the impression that LifeTime was not interested in continuing the relationship with the Versailles center and wished to pull out.

Spurlock encouraged the Kimballs to look into the center running itself saying, “You have a strong enough organization to put together a plan. The town and the Tyson Foundation can help.” Other board members and many of those attending also offered ideas and support for the senior center. The Kimballs seemed buoyed by the town’s response and the possibility of putting together a plan for the senior center to govern itself. “We have good fellowship together,” he told the group.

In other business, the last day for leaf pickup in Versailles will be Monday, November 20.
Recently appointed Town Marshal, Joe Mann, remarked that he appreciated the town’s vote of confidence in hiring him for the position and assured, “I’ll do my best to run the department to the best of my ability.”