Town utilities, finances dominate Cloverdale agenda

CLOVERDALE -- Finances and utilities were the main focus yet again of the Cloverdale Town Council at Tuesday's meeting.

The meeting lasted a little over an hour and covered things such as the standpipe updates, the Smyser Demo project, as well as highway zoning.

Rich Saucerman updated the council on the status of the standpipe which will be cleaned and painted starting Tuesday, Sept. 20. Saucerman, however, still did not have a definite price for the cost of repairing the town's sidewalks.

The town council approved Saucerman's requesst for $500 to calibrate the meters at the sewer plant as well as $1,800 to test the flow meters.

Saucerman pleaded before the council for permission to fix the barn door as well as an overhead door on Sewer Plant Road.

"We for sure need to get this fixed before the barn caves in," said Saucerman.

The town council authorized Saucerman to spend $1,200 just to get the building stabilized. The utility council will further discuss the possibility of other renovations at their next meeting.

The new utility truck has been bought. The truck was paid for out of the town's Riverboat fund, which cost, $37,064.

Brad Garrett of the Park Board told the council the Lions Club will be organizing a community event at the park on Oct. 1.

"It's just a day to say hello, I'm your neighbor," said Garrett.

The event will last from 1-6 p.m. and will feature food, games, as well as various other activities.

Building inspector Mark Cassida gave an update on the Smyser demolition project. Smyser selected Hurley as the contractor for the project. They have already started work on 52 E. Boone St.

Cassida also informed the board that several things had been removed from the property, including aluminum and brick. Hurley is now requesting to be compensated for the loss of money from these salvageable materials.

"Everything has to be inspected prior to paying the bill," said council president Cathy Tipton.

Hurley requested $525 extra for 513 E. Main Street and $450 extra for 52 E. Boone.

Cassida also brought the issue of highway zoning before the board. The current highway zoning does not include retail businesses in it, which makes it difficult for owners of businesses to change the nature of their business such as from a restaurant to a retail shop.

"The best bet is if we add retail use to it," said Cassida.

Town attorney Alan Yackey explained the process for changing the ordinance to Cassida, who was pleading before the council on a future tenant's behalf who wants to open a business by Nov. 1.

"The town has been very much pro-development," said Yackey. "It was an oversight when it was made in 2008."

The planning commission has now put the item on its agenda for its next meeting.

Don Sublett informed the council that Cecil Whitaker negotiations are under way. However, these discussions were confidential and could not be shared at this time.

Indiana Downtown, part of Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, will be coming to Cloverdale on Nov. 26. Representatives will come to inspect the town so they can move forward drawing up a five-year plan for the Cloverdale downtown area. They are currently looking for people with interest in the community.

The next town council meeting will take place Tuesday, Oct. 11, beginning at 7 p.m. in the town hall.