Bainbridge fish fry, Covered Bridge Festival involvement see changes

BAINBRIDGE --In the September meeting of the Bainbridge Town Council, Bainbridge Improvement Society (BIS) leader Thursa Evens announced some minor changes to the upcoming Jonah Fish Fry and its role at the Covered Bridge Festival in Mansfield.

The fish fry will now take place on Oct. 24 instead of its original Sept. 26 date, and the community building is set to feature newly-rented, interior booth space for BIS activities during the Covered Bridge Festival.

Evens went on to add that Gleaner's Food Bank will now set up a mobile pantry once a month at the Bainbridge Community Center, with specific dates yet to be determined. Volunteers will be needed to set up this project. Those interested in lending a hand can contact town hall at 522-6238.

In other news

* Park Board member Susan Cope reported on its status and presented an idea to start collecting bottle caps in hopes of purchasing more benches for the parks. Resident Scott Curran, who inquired about upgrading park facilities at the September meeting, outlined a plan which includes a fence, goals for the existing soccer fields, restrooms, playground equipment, walking trails and a dog park. Board president Chuck McElwee was in favor of Cope's idea and Curran's vision but stressed the importance of seeking Park Board approval prior to any action. Furthermore, resident Raymond Curran urged the council to also prepare plans for the property north of town.

* Reporting on the status of his duties was Utility Superintendent Troy Elless, who also requested Ordinance 2015-8 "not be considered" at the present meeting due to needed "language changes." The board agreed to table the issue until its October meeting. Elless also stated that the property surrounding the solar farm at North Putnam High School has been cleared, leveled and seeded. Several minor leaks and meter issues with the water lines have also been addressed by Elless in the past month.

* Elless further reported that he has received two quotes from separate locations to mill and repave West Vine Street, which is in much need of repairs. He added that he wants to discuss quotes with the contractors individually prior to any action to ensure their proposed work is identical. President McElwee made a motion in support, passing unanimously.

* Clerk-Treasurer Jason Hartman reported that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) had approved changes to the town's electric territory boundary, of which Hartman and the IURC are currently in the process of platting.

* Deputy Dena DeLaCruz presented a monthly activity police report, citing no major issues in the last month.

* Ordinance 2015-9 was placed on second reading after its presentation to the attending residents, which regulates the wages of town employees for 2016. The motion passed unanimously.

* Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick asked the council to suggest trick-or-treat hours for Halloween. Councilman Jerry Lents placed a motion to set the hours for 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Councilman Joel Thompson seconded the motion which unanimously passed 3-0.

The Bainbridge Town Council holds regular public sessions on the second Wednesday of each month. The next session will take place Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.