Commissioners approve loan for meat business

Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Warren Brown, Osgood, and his attorney, John Ertel, presented the Ripley County Commissioners with a request for $25,000 from the Ripley County Micro-loan program to open a new business selling local, home-grown meats, meats purchased from out of state vendors, as well as deli meats. Although this is the first time Brown has owned a business, he is bringing 35 years of experience in meat cutting. The commissioners unanimously approved the loan at the January 14 meeting and wished him good luck. Brown said, “I appreciate your help. I will do everything I can to make it (the meat business) successful.

In other business, Jac-Cen-Del Superintendent Bill Narwold presented a complaint from a homeowner on Columbia Avenue, Osgood, concerning drainage issues. According to Narwold, the homeowner’s claim is that the run-off from JCD property is going into his back yard, which is approximately 20 feet from his back door. Narwold showed the commissioners aerial photos and blueprints of the drains installed at JCD. He acknowledges that the drains in question are over 15 years old, and that when installed did not present a problem. Narwold has talked to Steve Wilhoit, Osgood’s street department supervisor, about enlarging a ditch in the area to increase drainage. Wilhoit indicated that the neighbors on the street would need to sign an agreement to allow the street department employees on the properties.

Commissioner President Robert Reiners suggested Narwold bring the issue to the Osgood Town Board. Commissioner Folz agreed to look at the land in question and talk to Wilhoit. The findings will be discussed at the next meeting. Narwold finished by saying, “The school wants to cooperate in this matter.”

Tom Perotti, executive director of Southeastern Indiana Solid Waste District, SISWD requested an appointment to the district's board to represent the cities and towns. This appointee must be an elected official and be willing to do the job. The commissioners will look into getting someone to serve in that capacity. Also, commissioners agreed to help pay for a part-time employee at the recycle center that fills in during vacations and holidays. Commissioner Reiners requested that the employee at the recycle center in Osgood become an employee of SISWD. Perotti said he could not make that decision and will take it before the SISWD board.

Sheriff Tom Grills reported three incidents of prisoners who faked injuries and requested that the county make the prisoners responsible for the medical costs. Attorney Neil Comer stated that the inmates may not be able to pay for the cost of a civil suit. No decision was made in this matter. Sheriff Grills also presented an evacuation plan for the jail to the commissioners.

In other business:

• Ripley County Extension Director David Osborne turned in a bill for furnace repair costing $99. He also discussed the replacement of stained carpet. Osborne will get two estimates and give them to the commissioners at the next meeting.

• Scott Huffman, Ripley County EMS director, introduced new employee Aaron Leffinwell. Leffinwell is from Brookville and will work with Rescue 30. Huffman requested an electric line be installed for the fuel tank.

• Ripley County Technology Director Kelly Vollet presented two estimates for repair work on the courthouse generator.

• The commissioners agreed to needed repair work in Mary Ann McCoy’s office (Auditor) to accommodate those with disabilities.

Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz, and Attorney Neil Comer were present; Lawrence Nickell was absent due to illness. The next meeting will be held on January 28 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the commissioners' meeting room.