Bainbridge Town Council gets update on street projects

BAINBRIDGE -- Bainbridge Town Council members Richard Cope, Naomi Barker and Bonnie Osborn heard an update on proposed street projects and the funding for them during its Wednesday night meeting.

One project aimed at milling up the three inches of pavement on the road and repaving it with three inches of asphalt has hit a small snag. The road is in an area that has been declared historic.

"I don't know who declared it historic or when, but INDOT says it is and that requires a certified historian to inspect the area," said Town Clerk Jason Hartman.

The entire downtown of Bainbridge is a historic area, which means that any government funds going to a project in that area has to be checked out to make sure no changes are being made in the area.

"All we want to do is pull up three inches of asphalt and repave three inches. We aren't touching the curbs or any other area so we are trying to get it waived," he said.

There are a couple of other streets that need work. Hartman got an estimate from a company to do the North Washington project at a cost of $29,737. A project on Locust Street including replacing curbs and gutters and resurfacing was estimated at about $20,000.

Hartman reminded council members that if the funding for the S. Washington Street project comes through, the town would need about $40,000 in match funds in 2013.

In other business:

Attorney Jim Ensley told board members he would have an ordinance drafted for the next meeting regarding driving golf carts in town. He expects a statue to pass by July 1 in the State Legislature that requires carts to have a slow moving vehicle sign, flashing red light and drivers to have a valid driver's license.

Hartman also told the council they would need to advertise their budget earlier this year as the state has moved the deadline for budgets up by a month. Additionally, the budget has to be reviewed by the county council.

"They can't make any changes. They can make suggestions. There is no reason for them to have to review the budget, but it is a change made by the state," said Hartman.

"The county council doesn't want their hands in this. After all, they are so well educated in municipal government," said Hartman sarcastically.

The county council will also review Roachdale, Fillmore and Russellville's budgets because of the new legislation.

The Bainbridge Town Council meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the community center.