Bainbridge council passes abandoned vehicles ordinance

Bainbridge Town Council members Richard Cope, Bonnie Osborn and Naomi Barker passed Ordinance 2009-3 on the second reading. This ordinance defines the term "mechanically inoperable" as it pertains to abandoned vehicles in Indiana Code.

Residents Joel and Ellie Thompson asked the council about the ordinance. Board President Richard Cope explained the ordinance does not change anything about the code but explains what is considered inoperable.

Thompson advised the group he would expedite the removal of vehicles from his property. Attorney Jim Ensley told the Thompsons they could contact him with any questions.

Town Clerk Jason Hartman explained to the council about the status of federal stimulus money for the North Washington Street project. He told them the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) rejected the initial application to mill and resurface the street because it lacked an environmental study.

The study will take up to three months to complete.

"The stimulus money may be distributed by then," said Hartman.

Hannum, Wagle and Cline Engineering recommended submitting an application for micro surfacing the street because it does not require an environmental study.

After a lengthy discussion, the council decided to conduct the environmental study on North Washington Street and re-apply to INDOT again.

The council was concerned with making a "band-aid" fix on the road by just milling it and resurfacing it and then still having to pay to resurface the road a short time later.

South Washington Street was included in the motion for the study, as work on it is eligible for a separate INDOT grant.

Hartman noted that the only street eligible for stimulus funds in Bainbridge is Washington Street.

"Only major connector streets are eligible for stimulus money," explained Hartman. "North Washington is a major connector and South Washington is a minor. So north is eligible for stimulus money and south is eligible for other INDOT grant money."

Susan Cope with the Bainbridge Park Board reported that bleachers and handicap parking signs have been erected at Stewart Park. They have also agreed to allow the Bainbridge Improvement Society (BIS) to use park property this summer for a community garden.

Hartman told the group that the community clean up day last week was another success. With the help of volunteers and inmates from the Putnam County Jail they were able to remove three abandoned houses this year.

"Bainbridge has no uninhabitable houses now," said Hartman.

This is the fifth year houses have been removed (with the owners' approval) during clean up day.