County to explore concept of rentals of Houck Covered Bridge

Looking to host a banquet in a historic structure with a backdrop of Big Walnut Creek as it meanders through the rolling hills of southern Putnam County?

It's apparently an interest for some, and it had Karla Lawless and Diana Love of the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau at the Monday meeting of the Putnam County commissioners.

Since Houck Covered Bridge in northern Washington Township was bypassed last fall, Lawless said the agency has fielded a number of calls from people inquiring about renting the bridges for use in weddings, receptions, reunions and other gatherings.

It's a possibility the CVB and the commissioners are now considering, but some questions remain unanswered.

Chief among these are concerns about liability. The county will need to look over its insurance to see if such arrangements are covered within its current liability insurance.

Commissioner Rick Woodall asked about renters having to have their own insurance for such events. However, County Attorney Jim Ensley said the county would still have to have some sort of liability insurance in place.

The Cataract Falls Covered Bridge at Lieber State Recreation is available for such rentals, so such arrangements are not unheard of.

County Highway Superintendent Mike Ricketts also brought up the possibility of setting up a fund for upkeep of the bridge from the rental fees.

With more information gathered in the coming weeks, the issue will be revisited at the Monday, March 2 meeting.

In other business:

* The commissioners approved the hire of Pam Pierce as the Emergency Management Agency administrative assistant, replacing Sandy Amers.

Pierce has previously worked as an administrative assistant at Greencastle City Hall and Greencastle Fire Department.

* The commissioners made a pair of board appointments.

Longtime Eitel's Flowers owner and current Ivy Tech Business & Entrepreneurial Center Director Ken Eitel will now represent Putnam County on the West Central Economic Development Board.

Barry Barger was also appointed to the Floyd Township Fire Board, replacing Ted Salzman, whose declining health will not allow him to continue.

* Ricketts discussed problems on Lonestar Road, as semis end up on a section of the road with a six-ton weight limit and tight turns the large trucks cannot negotiate.

Sheriff's Department Capt. Tom Helmer talked to Ricketts the possibility of posting the weight limit signs closer to the end of the road or of even posting "no semis."

While the latter is not a possibility, Ricketts is going to inquire with risk management firm Bliss-McKnight about how to proceed.