Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Robert Buchanan, Dabney, came before the commissioners at their meeting held on Monday, January 28 with a complaint of illegal dumping. According to Buchanan, the property in question has tires all over it, and trash getting close to the street. Some of the debris has filled in the ditches and therefore presents drainage issues. Photos of the property and the damage were presented to the commissioners. Buchanan said, “I am afraid that there will be damage to my property.”

An old, gutted mobile home on the property is in the railroad right of way. Also, there are several piles of wood and wood chips that are illegally dumped on the property, according to Buchanan. He further noted that the county sheriff’s office and representatives from the railroad have been out to investigate the issue. According to Commissioner Chuck Folz, the homeowners were told to clean up the property within 30 days, but have yet to comply. Illegal burning that causes toxic fumes is another area of concern, due to Buchanan’s sick mother living with him.

Commissioner President Rob Reiners advised Buchanan to file a complaint. The county will clean the ditches to prevent further damage from flooding. The commissioners promised to continue investigating the problem.

Kent Abraham, field director for the Historic Landmarks Foundation in Aurora, informed the Ripley County Commissioners of the nomination for the Straber Ford Bridge to the National Register of Historical Places. Straber Ford Bridge, located west of Osgood on County Road 500 W, is a four arch bridge and was built in 1895. Bridges in Decatur and Shelby counties are also being nominated. “The best collection of stone bridges is in this area,” stated Abraham. Ball State University’s Center for Historic Preservation is preparing the nomination. The process takes approximately a year to complete the paperwork and is funded by the Efroymson Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, located in Indianapolis. Acceptance of the bridge to the National Register of Historic Places will increase general awareness for tourism purposes, according to Abraham. Approval to continue the process of the nomination was unanimous from commissioners.

The commissioners unanimously approved the transfer of three plus acres owned by the county in the industrial park to the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department to build a new fire department building. County Attorney Neil Comer informed the commissioners of a new law, passed in 2007, that allows the county to transfer property to a volunteer fire department at no cost. According to Assistant Chief Ben Sieverding, the current location has its entrance blocked during the Pumpkin Show making it difficult to respond to emergencies as well as the trucks are crowded in the garage. Sieverding noted that the fire department has applied for grants toward the building of the new fire department.

Earline Copeland, Ripley County treasurer, was before the commissioners presenting the end of year financial report. According to Copeland, over $2,676,592.39 is invested in CDs at this time with interest earned totaling $683,667.96. Copeland presented figures to pay off the jail loan. Currently, the principle is $775,000 and the interest is approximately $30,000. There is no penalty for early pay off, and the amount paid in interest would be adjusted according to the pay off date. The commissioners unanimously approved appropriation of funds to pay off the loan, which will come from the Cumulative Capital Fund. The commissioners will approach the county council for approval
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Kelly Vollet, technology director, updated the commissioners on the generator issue. According to Vollet, the current generator is unable to maintain an electrical supply for the computers, as well as the other electrical needs. The power surge that follows after power is returned causes damage to the computers. Although there are battery backups for the computers, they only last 15 minutes before shutting down. Vollet requested that the quotes include a generator that maintains the necessities and a generator that will maintain all of the courthouse needs. Vollet is still waiting for quotes from Biehle Electric, contracted by Cummings, and from Two Brothers Electric.

Vollet also reported on the installation of a new copier in the probation department. The copier purchased for the surveyor’s office arrived at the Office Shop in Batesville damaged and will be returned. The Office Shop is waiting on the replacement.

In other business:
• Tad Brinson, planning commission director, reported his findings on the illegal dumping in Dabney. He told the commissioners he can only address the gutted mobile home issue, not the environmental issue. He also reported vandalism to the public restrooms at the annex building.
• Johnnie Lohrum, courthouse maintenance, will handle a snow removal complaint lodged at a county council meeting. He also informed the commissioners of his taking a few days off due to sickness in the family. Commissioners approved, stating that Lohrum can contact the county garage in case snow removal is needed.
• Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a new filing system for the assessor’s office. This filing system will be paid for from the Riverboat Gaming Fund.
• An ordinance written by the sheriff’s office stating that medical expenses for the prisoners will be taken from their commissary account was unanimously approved by the commissioners. This is the prisoner’s personal money, and proceeds will go to the county general fund to help off-set medical expenses.
• Commissioners agreed to get quotes for the replacement of damaged carpet at the courthouse. The replacement was requested two years ago, but no action was taken. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

The next commissioners meeting will be held on Monday, February 11 at 8:00 a.m. at the commissioners meeting room in the annex building.