Street closing causes Summerfest complications
ROACHDALE -- Town Council members Bill Long and Jack Jones heard a request from Bonnie Yahraus, representing Roachdale PRIDE and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars to close off some areas of downtown for the VFW Fish Fry and Summerfest activities.
"We can't do it," said Long. "We can't close down the detour. We don't have any control over it because it is an INDOT project."
He is referring to the road construction project of Indiana Street from Railroad Street to S.R. 236. A detour has been designated by INDOT and closing the streets involved would be a fire safety issue with the State Fire Marshall.
Several suggestions of areas to use for the Summerfest were made and included moving it to the park, using the Fire Department parking lot, funeral parlor parking lot and grass field owned by CSX. Long offered the use of the park at no cost.
Yahraus agreed to look into these locations. She also told the council that a "roach race," car show, Bounce area and roper will be included in this year's activities.
Connie Edwards asked the council to approve the parade route for Summerfest. She reported that the parade will be on July 4 at 3:30 p.m. and will start and end at the Roachdale Elementary School. It was okayed by the Council.
Jones reported that the INDOT street project was about two days behind, but still expected it to be completed by October first.
"We appreciate people who live in that area and hope they will bear with us. We know it's really frustrating and will be worse when people coming into town or to the downtown area will have drive down alleys to get there. We apologize to the community. It's a pain for us too, but it had to be done. We were losing the street because it had been paved over so many times," added Long.
Jones also commented that the project will move north of Washington Street sometime around or after July 4.
Zach Powers asked the council if the town had an ordinance preventing livestock from being housed in town. He reported seeing a fox and several coyotes near his mother's home and felt they might be drawn to the area by livestock.
Long said livestock is prohibited from being in town and believe the ordinance referred to "split hoofed animals." He suggested Powers check at the library and look up the ordinance. He agreed to check it out.
In other business:
Town employee Greg Poole told the council that the town's fire hydrants will be flushed on June 17 beginning around 8 a.m. and throughout the day.
Town Marshal Mike Mahoy reported that his department made 43 traffic stops last month. He also told the council about a new town Web site that will be used by town employees. It has been developed and will cost $9.95 a month. The address is www.townofroachdale.com.
Council members approved a second reading of town ordinance 2009-1 regarding weight limits on streets and parking.
They also approved a credit card resolution for the town clerk for use in out of town travel for town employees. It has a $1,000 credit limit and will be kept locked in a safe in Town Hall.
The Roachdale Town Council meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.