Hartman assisting with utility duties in Roachdale

Jason Hartman

ROACHDALE -- Mr. Jason Hartman, local historian and former clerk-treasurer of Bainbridge, will be joining forces with the town officials and employees of Roachdale less than one year after choosing not to run for a fourth-consecutive term at his position in the nearby town.

Set to assist Utility Superintendent Troy Elless and others, Hartman was introduced Tuesday during Roachdale’s monthly public session.

“I was the clerk-treasurer for the town of Bainbridge for 12 years and prior to that I worked for the state of Indiana -- for the legislature,” Hartman said Tuesday. “For the past year I’ve been taking care of two little guys that my wife and I are fostering.

“I work for UMAC -- Utility Maintenance and Construction,” Hartman continued as he addressed the room. “(Elless) is still working with the town of Roachdale but I will be assisting him as well. I started working here (Jan. 3) and I’ve taken into inventory what equipment you have and what your infrastructure is.”

Hartman has also worked closely with current Roachdale Clerk-treasurer Debbie Sillery, herself a former deputy-clerk under Hartman at Bainbridge.

“I’ve had conversations with Sillery and the two utility guys have been great -- Mike Arnold and Mike Mahoy,” Hartman said. “Thus far, I’m putting a list together of projects that we would like to discuss at some point in time and I’ve asked to have meetings, and maybe even a workshop, with (the board) to discuss what direction we want to go.”

Among other ideas, Hartman listed some project moves that involve the gas utility, the storm water rehabilitation project and other infrastructure.

Still admittedly learning the subtleties of the town, Hartman showed resolve for his new position.

“We still live in Bainbridge; I had a lot of work experience with (Sillery) over the last three years; I know all three of the council members here; and I think there are some good things we can make happen here -- we have a good start,” Hartman said. “My background is in doing projects like these. I’m the kind of person who likes to get things accomplished and I like doing big things. I’m excited to be a part of what’s going on here.”

In other business:

• Being the first public session of 2017, the board formally selected its officers for the following year. Councilman Zach Bowers will reprise his role as board president and David Peebles will again give legal counsel.

• Meeting times were set for 2017. Regular public sessions for the town of Roachdale will again take place on the second Tuesday of each month inside Roachdale’s town hall (205 N. Indiana St.) at 7 p.m.

• Updates for both the Wastewater System Rehabilitation Project and Storm Water project were given: training for town employees is underway for the aforementioned while the latter is expected to begin in February.

• According to the board and Marshal Mahoy, at least nine problematic residences are currently being dealt with via verbal warning, letters and lawsuits.

• A building permit to construct an 18-foot long fence at Tender Hearts Daycare was approved.

• An AWS storage container was requested by Marshal Mahoy to not only better secure the town’s AR-15 semi-automatic rifle inside one of the town’s police vehicles, but to also give officers quicker access in case of emergency. The box, listed at $1,129, was approved.

• The town has recently employed the use of Keystone Billing Software in efforts to better accommodate residents. Clerk-treasurer Sillery reported that the software updates are going well.

• The next regularly-scheduled public session for the town of Roachdale will be on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.