Body cameras, construction disputes and zoning in Bainbridge

Thursday, February 19, 2015

BAINBRIDGE -- After a long stand-still in seeking compensation for asphalt work the town deemed unsatisfactory by Land and Sons Paving, Bainbridge attorney Jim Ensley informed the board that Steve Land will be at a hearing to dispute the judgment on March 4.

In June 2012, Land, owner of Land and Son Paving, was named as the defendant in a case filed by Town of Bainbridge as a result of a paving project that, according to the town, failed to adhere to proper specifications of thickness.

The hearing will provide Land and Sons Paving an opportunity to present an argument and chance to dispute the claim.

Board president Chuck McElwee announced that the Bainbridge Utility Board has a vacancy that needs to be filled following the death of Clifford Passmore.

Utility Board president Jeff Kiger informed the board of several names for consideration of the position, including Scott Curran, Jerry Lents and Jeff Trent.

McElwee suggested that Brent Foltz be included among the individuals being considered.

After discussion, Foltz was appointed to fill the balance of the vacant term on the Utility Board.

McElwee informed the board that rezoning efforts need to take place on a variety of city properties including an 18 acre parcel that was annexed several years ago as well as a collection of several parcels.

Parcels near Bainbridge Elementary School were discussed as being the future site of an Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) sponsored solar park that would see IMPA purchase a plot of land and install a solar park, providing a self-sustained, "green" source of energy for the municipality.

An update from Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick informed the council that recently acquired body cameras would begin to be used by officers at the end of the month.

The cameras are courtesy of the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office and are specifically designed for police work.

The cameras will help provide evidence of interactions between law enforcement and citizens that can be helpful when disputing possible incidents.

Construction on a new stage at the Bainbridge Community Building was expected to begin soon, according to Thursa Evens of the Bainbridge Improvement Society.

The stage will help create a space that is more suitable for performances as well as rentals for the community.

In other business:

* The Bainbridge Park Board expressed interest in purchasing banners to hang on utility poles as well as constructing a sidewalk to better connect East Point Park to the downtown area.

* The board approved to proceed with rezoning multiple parcels from un-zoned status to public use, including an 18-acre and a four-acre plot to the north of Bainbridge, as well as three parcels totaling 3.4 acres on the southwest of Bainbridge; a .54-acre plot on the southwest side of Bainbridge to go from R2 desgination to public use and a 4.82-acre plot on the Southwest side of the town to go from R2 designation to manufacturing.

The Town of Bainbridge holds its monthly meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Bainbridge Town Hall at 201 N. Grant Ave.

Its next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11.

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