Annexations and utilities discussed in Bainbridge

BAINBRIDGE -- At its Ocrober monthly meeting, the Bainbridge Town Council approved annexation, a more lenient late-fee schedule for utility payments and heard an updates on several projects from the park board.

The council Wednesday night approved annexation of a four-acre plot of land north of town that is presently classified for recreational use but with its proximity to the railroad, is believed to be a prime location for business development.

The board also approved allowing an additional two days for utility payments to be received before being considered delinquent.

The amended rules will allow for a 19-day grace period before a utility bill is considered delinquent. Once delinquent, a fee equal to 10 percent of the bill will be added to the account.

The park board informed the board that the custom bike rike, made in the shape of a cougar, is completed and ready to be installed. The bike rack is a part of the "Safe Routes to School" grant that has provided money for the town of Bainbridge to build sidewalks and promote walking and riding to school.

Jeremy Windmiller of the North Putnam Youth Baseball League was in attendance to inform the board of his short- and long-term goals and his desire to drum up enthusiasm and participation for the league.

Improving the quality of the field is one of Windmiller's goals, working to provide a new, safer backstop, new dugouts for players, new fences and leveling the entire field so that there are no dips or angles. Windmiller has already begun leveling the infield of the park, intending to finish it this year and to progress to leveling the outfield at a later date.

The current field is constructed with brick dust but given the rareness and expense of brick dust since the field was last renovated, a new substance will be needed for the ballpark.

Windmiller aims to finish replacing the foul-line fence by next season and expressed his interest in the long-term health of the ballpark to the board.

The park board also discussed the possibility of a splash park for Bainbridge but at this stage of dialogue is still in its infancy and will be dependent upon receiving grant money for the project.

The board discussed providing bikes, water bottles and T-shirts to promote North Putnam schools. As finances were discussed, Thursa Evens stepped forward as a member of the Bainbridge Improvement Society, saying that she would see if BIS would be able to help offset the cost of those materials if needed.

Evens also expressed her gratitude for another successful Jonah Fish Fry that took place Oct. 3.

"I'd like the thank everybody," Evens said.

She informed the board that the event fed well over 100 people and had more volunteers than the last fish fry, in spite of the cold weather.

The board received a thank you note from North Putnam High School Principal Jason Chew and Assistant Principal Levy Yowell for the homecoming parade that took place in Bainbridge this year. The parade is scheduled to alternate between Roachdale and Bainbridge every year, with the parade returning to Bainbridge in 2016.

The town of Bainbridge holds its council meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Bainbridge Community Center. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, Nov. 12.