4-H'ers ask commissioners for help

A group of 4-H'ers are hoping the Putnam County Commissioners will help them with a barn project in time for this year's county fair.

Members of the Poultry Club told commissioners Jim Baird, Gene Beck and Kristina Warren the building could help prevent heat-related deaths of chickens, such as those that occurred during last year's fair.

Club superintendent Clint Maddox said the group has raised more than $3,000 through years of fundraising, but the building materials will cost around $7,500 for a 40x80-feet structure.

It also looks as though volunteer effort will be needed to erect the structure, which will be a basic roof on poles similar to a picnic shelter.

The commissioners also heard from 4-H'ers Ashlyn Archer, Sarah Myers, Dylan Harrison and Cheyenne Maddox, who said the temperatures under the tent used each year for the poultry club get too high for both birds and people.

"Our chickens die in the heat," said Myers, a nine-year 4-H'er whose family has been involved in the poultry project for 14 years.

The Poultry Club is the only livestock project at the county fair that does not have a permanent barn location. The tent, which costs about $800 to rent and set up each year, has been located at various spots around the fairgrounds.

The commissioners thanked the youths, along with Clint and Dana Maddox, for their presentation, and asked the group to return for the May 7 commissioners meeting.

"I just have to chew on things a while," Baird told the group.

"We appreciate even being considered," Maddox said.

In other business, the commissioners:

* Voted in favor of a settlement to a lawsuit concerning the right-of-way for Bridge 159 at Reelsville. It was the final of four suits settled over the right-of-way, and resulting in a $25,000 payment, less $8,700 as agreed by the attorneys in the case.

* Approved the replat of Fairview Addition Plat B in Franklin Township to divide 14.38 acres into two residential lots.

* Approved the Mount Subdivison in Jackson Township to divide 70.75 acres into six residential lots.

* Learned the county is eligible to participate in two Homeland Security initiatives. The county has been selected to participate in the statewide GIS enhancement project to hosted a web-mapping service and purchase laptops.

The grant amount is $17,902. The county has also been selected to participate in the District Mobile Command Center project for $450,000 to provide on-scene direction, control and coordination during an emergency or disaster situation in the multi-county district.

* Heard that a second meeting of a local agriculture economic development effort is set for Monday, April 23 at the Area 30 Career Center.

* Learned that DePauw University would like an easement for a water line extension along Sunset Drive extension past the county highway department to get water to its new building being constructed at the DePauw Nature Park. The request will be on the commissioners' May agenda.

* Heard a presentation from Mike Murphy of Hayes Murphy and Sharp Insurance about a free prescription discount card that could be available to any Putnam County resident.

The commissioners noted they are looking at another discount card as well. Mayor Nancy Michael was at Monday's meeting to ask the commissioners to consider the card.

The topic could be discussed in May.

The Putnam County Commissioners regularly meet at 6 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month in the courthouse annex, 209 W. Liberty St., Greencastle.

The meetings are open to the public.