Bainbridge council continues work on improvements

BAINBRIDGE -- The Bainbridge Town Council meeting held on Wednesday looked at projects that are continuing and heard a complaint of a drainage ditch and standing water.

When the town council asked for the Park Board report at the beginning of the meeting members were informed by Park Board President Susan Cope that no meetings had been held in the past few months due to the absence of some of the appointed Park Board members.

The town council expressed concern with this and President Chuck McElwee suggested that if the board could not meet then maybe new members needed to be appointed.

Cope said that she would look in to the matter and try and get the other board members to attend.

Utilities reported that the hook-up at Casey's was nearing completion and that the project looked to be finished in December. Also, that the safe sidewalks to school project was going along smoothly and was on schedule to be completed in November.

Last month the town council decided that the town would be willing to pay half the cost of redoing sidewalks on Main Street. Several businesses have taken up the town on its offer and have expressed interest in the repaving the sidewalks.

The council gave McElwee the authority to make a decision on extending the sidewalk that will be a part of Casey's. This decision came after two bids were looked at and showed two very different variations for the sidewalk construction.

McElwee will be asking the companies for more information on the bids so that he may make a decision as soon as possible.

A few months ago the town looked into annexing land and utilities on the west end of town and has not put a hold on that decision. Clerk-Treasurer Jason Hartman suggested that the council might think about the process of annexing several acres north of town. The council took it under advisement and will be looking into the matter.

A group of citizens brought concerns over what they believe to be a collapsed drainage ditch that runs through several yards. There has been standing water in the area whenever heavy rain would fall, as of late the group has noticed that the ground in the area has become softer and gives in certain areas.

The group asked that the town come and fix the problem before it becomes worse.

"If the town is responsible we will fix it," McElwee stated. "That is if the town is responsible. If it is not, we will try and work with you to help fix the problem."

McElwee said that he would come out and look at the affected areas and have utility services come out to see if the town was responsible for what was happening.

Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick brought to the council a recommendation for the town to appoint Patrick Landice as a reserve deputy in Bainbridge. Landice came highly recommend and has had the needed training to be a reserve. The council approved the appointment.

Halloween hours were also decided on for Thursday, Oct. 31 and will be from 6-8 p.m.

The next Bainbridge Town Council meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.