Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

“I feel very comfortable to have this building as part of the community,” said Versailles Town Council President John Holzer at the regular meeting of the Versailles Town Council on July 10 at the Tyson Auditorium.

Holzer introduced engineer Jerry Firestone, Triangle Design of Noblesville, who presented a layout of Tyson Auditorium and discussed what would be needed to bring it up to code.

According to Firestone, there are three primary needs for the building. The first is to stabilize the building envelope, or the outside structure. This will include repairing the roof as well as the gutters and downspouts. Firestone stated that the brick has some deterioration, caused by moisture. The bricks can be repaired by adhering thin pieces of brick to the existing brick called a thin-brick system.

Other needs include a heating/ventilation system for the rooms next to the stage. These rooms are currently connected to the boiler room on the other side of the wall, which is also used by the Tyson School Apartments. The building will need to be brought up to code, according to Firestone. He suggests adding a small addition to the back of the building to hold a lobby and an elevator for access to the lower level.

Tyson Auditorium was previously owned by LifeTime Resources, and was purchased by the town for $67,463.28. Holzer stated that he is confident that sporting events and community events could be held there as early as the fall. Holzer hopes to generate enough income to pay the expenses of the building without using taxpayer’s money.

Terry Zinz spoke to the council on behalf of Safe Passages, a domestic violence intervention and prevention agency, requesting the council to consider possible emergency funds and including the agency in the budget.

According to Zinz, the funds that Safe Passages receive come solely from donations and grants. Zinz stated that $390 a day would provide a fully furnished bedroom and supplies for four people. The average stay is 20 days.

Jerry Gilpin, Versailles Lions Club, asked the council for permission to build a 30x40 pole barn at the Tyson Auditorium property for the purpose of a storage facility for the Lions. The council approved the request unanimously.

Versailles Town Marshal Joe Mann reported that the theft of copper wire is getting worse. He would like for the people who live around Versailles to look out for their neighbors. “We all have to work together,” he said.

For the month of June the Versailles Police Department served six warrants and made six arrests. Four accidents were investigated along with 12 citations and 47 warnings issued.

Council member Denessa Benkie proposed bringing back the Pumpkin Show dance, to be held at the Tyson Auditorium. She also thanked Danny Jackson, Versailles Historical Preservation Society, for his efforts in the installation of the new fence at CVS.

In other business:

• Kevin Hensley reported that the soft starter at the sawmill was replaced. He reported that the drainage problems at the Smith residence on South Street were repaired.

• August 9 will be clean up day, with the focus on Pangburn Park or the square.

The next town council meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Versailles Town Hall.