Cathy May, Contributing Writer

What to do with the house the Town of Holton owns seemed to be a bone of contention between members of the public and town board members at the regular meeting of the Holton Town Board on June 12. The house is located next to the community park on Versailles Street.

Board member Angi Farrell toured the house and said, “It is not up to code and is in very poor shape. There are holes in the walls and the hardwood floor is busted. The windows are put in with foam.” Citizen Danny Beach said, “I have been under the house and the floor joints are dry rotted and termites are bad.” Beach thought the house should be torn down.

But, not everyone thought so. Past board member Wilma Myers said even if it costs $5,000 to $10,000 to fix up, it would still be a cheap house. Board member Ryan Lauber was concerned about liability issues for the town. After much discussion, Board President Paul Hughes said the board would see what the costs would be to fix up the house or tear it down and then make a decision on what to do.

Lauber reported on the progress of the town purchasing a house and land on West Versailles Street to put up a maintenance building for the town. They were able to purchase the property for $6,000. All the zoning is in place. The house will be demolished with Jerry Hon doing the clean up.
In other business:

• Ryan King of Safe Passage requested a donation for their shelter in Batesville for abused women and children. The town board agreed to donate $500.00.

• Members of the Hometowners were at the meeting for final preparations for the Holton Jamboree, which is set for June 20 and 21 at the Holton Community Park. They asked if the town would spray for mosquitos, if they would haul stands in on Wednesday and if they could borrow the town extension cords and trash cans. All was agreed to.

• Holton residents were told the town would pick up limbs from the recent storms on Wednesday, June 18. They need to put the limbs by the road for pick up.

• Town Marshal Bob Curl said he was not leaving in answer to a rumor that had been circulating. He requested funds for new radio batteries and ammunition at the meeting.

• When asked why the sewer bills have been late, Deputy Clerk Misty McNeelan explained that the Holton Water Company has been putting in new digital meters and they had been late getting the readings to the town.

• Mike Stratton came before the board representing the Ripley County Historical Society. He said they were going to place an informational marker near the railroad tracks regarding the Underground Railroad. He asked permission to install the sign and help from the town. His requests were granted.

• Several citizens complained about water problems and the plight of the railroad crossings was again lamented. The town board and the marshal both said they have talked to the railroad numerous times. Holton is on the list for the crossing to be fixed, but when that is going to happen, no one knows.

All three members of the Holton Town Board were in attendance: Paul Hughes, Ryan Lauber and Angi Farrell. Deputy Clerk Treasurer Misty McNeelan was present to advise the board. The next regular meeting will be July 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holton Community Building.