Town council approves K-9, discusses Wendy’s teardown

CLOVERDALE -- During what ended up being a two-hour process, the Cloverdale Town Council addressed a series of issues during its monthly meeting Tuesday evening.

In addition to giving his regular police report, Cloverdale town marshal Steve Hibler began the meeting by informing the public that three new officers had been sworn into the Cloverdale Police Department. He also related that additional officers were doing well in training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and that the department would have eight reserve officers in its force soon.

Deputy marshal Levi App followed Hibler by proposing the addition of a K-9 unit to the police department. In a presentation outlining the benefits of using K-9 officers to conduct searches and apprehensions, App provided that the town would not have to contribute to the upkeep of the unit. Instead, it would be funded through donations to the department.

Responding to questions by community members about the cost to maintain the unit, App said that retraining would not be a problem, and that the working life of a K-9 officer would be five to six years. While he said that the cost to train and maintain K-9 officers would be about $10,000, insurance would only cost $500.

The town council unanimously approved the proposal with the support of the community, recognizing the need for CPD to have its own K-9s to stem the influx of drugs and address other criminal activity in the town.

The next major issue was presented by town manager Wayne Galloway regarding the potential future of the former Wendy’s fast-food restaurant on North Main Street.

Galloway and the council went back and forth to determine what could be done with the property, in light of the current owner’s promises to convert the building into a Mexican restaurant.

Galloway related that investors had come into Cloverdale to discuss setting up other restaurants in the vicinity, but that no decisions had been made.

As the building’s current disrepair is also a health concern, Galloway expressed that action would need to take place soon.

Town council president Coweta Patton ultimately said that if headway is not made on either the Mexican restaurant or another establishment, the town would eventually have to proceed with tearing the building down.

Additionally, the town council approved the appointment of Barbara Jay to the Cloverdale Board of Zoning Appeals, and Jane Brooks to the Plan Commission.

Finally, Jane Brooks informed the public that a Neighbors Helping Neighbors organization is currently being formed. Those who wish to know more about the group can come to a pitch-in dinner at Cloverdale Park at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.