Roachdale council approves park changes

ROACHDALE -- In a unanimous decision Tuesday the Roachdale Town Board approved the beginning phases of multiple enhancement projects to the town park located on South Indiana Street.

Longtime Park Board member Megan Rentfro kicked off the public comments portion of the council meeting Tuesday by saying she looks forward to utilizing donations for the humble ideas of some North Putnam students who would like to see their park improved.

"It's getting to the time where we're starting to pay attention to the park ... and what we want to try and do this year is to kind of give it a facelift," Rentfro said. "We can't do anything really big super soon but we can do certain things and try to get as many kids down there as possible."

A design intended for a mural on the wall of the park's restroom facility was provided to the board. Consisting of the phrase "Roachdale 1880" with images of a red covered bridge and trees, this painting will hopefully be realized with donations instead of the town's money, Rentfro explained.

"The Key Club with the high school has agreed to work with us," Rentfro said of the more than 20-strong group. "They're a service group that goes out and volunteers (its) time and does things for the community.

"I thought, 'What a great way, and what a great resource, that we haven't really used -- our school system -- to show our residents that, not only can kids vandalize, they can help build it up, too.'"

Roachdale Hardware has also been approached about any possible donations.

Board member Holly Cook spoke highly in favor of the idea, saying she's "all for the community being involved in (its) park."

"I think it's a great idea," Cook said. "The town can really take some pride in it."

In other business:

* Contracts for the release of funds concerning the Wastewater System Rehabilitation Project are due to be delivered in the coming days, prompting a motion by Cook (subsequently approved) allowing President Zach Bowers to sign the contracts once they are received.

* Town Attorney David Peables updated the board on the status of current legal action being sought by the town against the Bell family and its estranged property. A hearing has been set for Tuesday, May 21 at the Putnam County Courthouse, beginning at 3 p.m.

* A Zoning Ordinance update was given by Bowers who said the planning commission has finalized the ordinance and will be holding a public meeting on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. Bowers noted that a legal notice will run in the Banner Graphic ahead of the meeting.

* Recent smoke testing in the town's sanitary system showed about 60 issues in which rainwater is infiltrating the town's clean-water supply. The November testing has shown that several residences have issues with their sewage systems. Whether the issue concerns clean-out caps or a structure's "lateral" to the sewage system, owners will be notified of their inherent responsibilities in the near future.

* Two ordinances, 03-2016 and 04-2016, were approved after their respective third and final readings Tuesday.

* Building permits were discussed and approved for two residences. The owners of properties at 407 E. Washington St. and 7 N. Indiana St. will have 90 days to begin construction.

* Town Marshal Mike Mahoy presented his monthly report, citing an upcoming conference in Lafayette and the resume of a non-paid reserve deputy in Ladoga's Ben Brown. Brown was unanimously approved.

Mahoy also stated that the town's discontinued police vehicle, a 2009 Dodge Charger, will soon be available for public purchase. Bids will be accepted, beginning with the town's public town board meeting in May, with a minimum of $9,000 set.

The next town board meeting will be held on May 10 at 7 p.m. inside Roachdale Town Hall.