Bainbridge clamps down on animals

Thursday, March 19, 2009

BAINBRIDGE -- Town Council members Richard Cope, Bonnie Osborn and Naomi Barker approved two ordinances on the second reading regarding animals in their Wednesday evening meeting.

Ordinance 2009-1 states that all dogs and cats over the age of six months that are not permanently confined inside a building or confined structure in such a manner that another animal cannot come in contact with them, must be sterilized or unable to reproduce unless the owner has written certification from a veterinarian that the procedure is not in the best interest of the animal's health.

Ordinance 2009-2 declares that any person who repeatedly provides care of a domesticated animal will be named its owner, provided it has no identification indicating legal ownership by another party.

The owner of such animal is subject to all ordinances in the town of Bainbridge.

The designation of owner may be applied if a person feeds, waters, shelters, provides bedding, grooming, toys and containment to that animal.

An exemption is made is the animal is a stray and is harbored for no more than 10 consecutive days and town authorities have been notified. The animal must be surrendered to the Humane Shelter by the 10th day.

Both ordinances go into effect May 1.

Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick reported complaints from neighbors about vulgar language and noise problems at the basketball court. He is unable to do anything about the problems until signs are posted with hours and rules.

Town Clerk Jason Hartman told the council signs had been ordered and then cancelled because it is the North Putnam School Corporation's property and they have refused to approve the signs.

Council members suggested neighbors complain to the school board regarding the problems at the basketball court.

Utility Supervisor Jim Nelson reported that Duke Energy will be moving electric lines between Bainbridge and Roachdale on March 25 between 2 and 6 p.m.

"There is nothing we can do about it, since it's our provider who is doing it. We just have to make sure everyone is aware of it. Not doing it could cause some unplanned outages, so this is better and safer," said Nelson.

Nelson also reported that the Utility Board is sending a resolution to senate and congress members regarding President Obama's Global Warming tax that would tax power plants.

"This tax is going to end up in everybody's rates. It could be a 40 percent increase over two years," said Nelson.

The resolution asks for alternatives to these plans.

"There is no doubt coal fired power plants have emissions, but they are in compliance with federal standards when they are built and have to maintain that. Activists want no emissions, but that's not possible. Can you fix it in one year? No. In 10? Yes," he added.

Nelson went on to explain that most coal plants are in the Midwest and this area would be hard hit by Obama's plan. The resolution supports finding another way to fix the problem.

Hartman reported the possibility of some stimulus money coming to Bainbridge in the form of INDOT projects. He attended a meeting in Crawfordsville about projects and stimulus money.

"Indiana is getting a sizable chunk of stimulus money. They are giving it out on first come, first served basis. They have to be projects that are ready to go. We only have one to submit right away," said Hartman.

"The project is the milling and resurfacing of North Washington Street. The only eligible street is Washington Street north of U.S. 36 because it is a major connector. The south end is considered a minor connector and not majored," explained Hartman.

Projects have to have engineering reports and environmental reports already completed.

"I think this should be one of the first ones in to INDOT and we could get some money for it," added Hartman.

He also reported that INDOT was going to start throwing money out to get projects going.

The council set Bainbridge Clean-up day for May 9. They are looking at projects such as stump removal and burn projects.

Comments
View 4 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • Once again, are these animal ordinances REALLY going to fix the animal problem in Bainbridge? The answer is no.

    -- Posted by bbridgeresident on Thu, Mar 19, 2009, at 6:42 AM
  • It is about time!

    -- Posted by dzmwrr on Thu, Mar 19, 2009, at 5:49 PM
  • Great! another ordinance that will lay around and collect dust or be used for a door stop in the town marshals office!!

    -- Posted by Blue6 on Thu, Mar 19, 2009, at 6:26 PM
  • I agree.....it is extremely difficult to enforce something like this because you can't look at an animal on the street and tell if it has been spayed/neutered! Now let's really think about this a little better, Bainbridge.....

    -- Posted by John3:16 on Fri, Mar 20, 2009, at 6:12 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: