Construction projects move ahead

Construction projects around the city are beginning to bear some fruit, Greencastle City Planner Shannon Norman said.

Norman told the city council on Monday that construction projects at both Putnam Plaza and College Corner are coming along well.

Construction on the Sonic restaurant in front of Putnam Plaza is progressing as planned and should be completed by mid-December. Norman reported that National City's drive-through is still functioning, so customers should experience no inconvenience due to the construction project.

Council member Adam Cohen complimented the redevelopment work that has taken place at the former Walmart site in a rather short period of time.

"Overall, I think it's been a great win," Cohen said.

Norman said a big key to the project has been the ability to break up the location so that smaller retailers like Sears, Shoe Sensation and Peebles could all occupy the space.

"That project's only been going since June, so a lot's been completed in a short amount of time," Norman said.

At College Corner, the old Kork and Keg location at the point of Washington St. and Indianapolis Rd. is down and grating of the ground is currently going on.

The next concern with the location will be the installation of temporary barriers so that people do not try to drive across the point to get from one street to the other.

The barriers will need to be in place until spring, at which time the point is slated to be grassed over with a sidewalk installed.

The council also heard requests for use of city facilities on Dec. 2 for holiday festivities. They approved the closure of Indiana Street between Washington and Franklin for a Christmas parade between 5 and 8 p.m. that evening.

On Dec. 2, the Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony will also take place at City Hall. For the past 25 years it has been at the courthouse, but the tree in that location has grown too tall. The Civic League requested permission to plant a new tree at City Hall and begin performing the ceremony there.

The council approved the request with the understanding that the new tree will be of a dwarf variety to prevent a repeat of the issue. The ceremony will take place a 6 p.m. Dec. 2.

The council heard the first reading of an ordinance to fix the salaries of elected officials for the city. The mayor's salary will remain $47,600, the clerk-treasurer's will still be $47,023 and the council members' will remain at $4,878.

In other business:

* The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to move Tom Swenson's salary from the engineering fund to the water and wastewater fund. The move involved no change in pay.

* They also approved an internal loan of $44,000 to the cemetery fund to meet monthly obligation until December's property tax distribution.

* Clerk-treasurer Teresa Glenn reported the city is working on an agreement with AT&T through HOP Communications for the city's mobile phone service. In the agreement, the city would save about $11,000 annually and receive upgrades to all phones free of charge.

* Police Chief Tom Sutherlin responded to a concern of a citizen regarding police cars traveling outside the city and county. He said the cars can be taken home only if the officer lives in Putnam County and if they are outside the county, there is a reason.

"People are going to see Greencastle Police Department vehicles outside the county, but they are on police business," Sutherlin said.

* Public Works Superintendent Brad Phillips said his department has picked up leaves from 650 yards. The leaf pickup will continue until Nov. 26.

* Water and Wastewater Superintendent George Russell notified the council of the passing of utility employee Terry Fuller from throat cancer.