Shelter may add hours for vet tech

Things have been busy at the Putnam County Animal Shelter — busy enough to warrant more hours for one key employee.

Having already received a positive report from Animal Care and Control Officer Randy Patrick, the Putnam County Commissioners learned that there more work than can be done by a part-time veterinarian tech.

Humane Society of Putnam County (HSPC) President Sandy Grimes informed the commissioners that the 28 hours per week currently allotted the position is simply not enough.

“We’re finding, after being open for a while, that it’s not enough time to take care of the needs of the animals,” Grimes said.

Consequently, outside veterinary services must be called in to take care of the remaining needs.

HSPC officials are proposing that the vet tech become a full-time position.

With the commissioners having not previously reviewed the issue, not decision was made. It is unclear how much additional funds such a move will require, both in pay and in benefits.

Instead, the commissioners recommended that the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, which oversees the animal care and control department, review the issue.

In other business:

• Linda Merkel of the Child Abuse Prevention Month committee was granted permission for a pair of displays at the courthouse.

As is done every month, a banner and pinwheels in recognition of abused children in the county will be place on the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn.

Additionally, with blue the designated color of Child Abuse Prevention Month, external lights on the courthouse will be replaced with blue lightbulbs. The committee will pay for the special bulbs.

• The Putnam County Highway Department received bids on several upcoming vehicle projects. Costs were not discussed, as county officials are taking time to compare and review the bids before making any decisions.

Four different bids were received for the four new tandem dump trucks the department needs. Rahn Equipment of Danville, Ill., submitted a pair of bids, one for four Peterbilt chassis and another for four Kenworth chassis.

Rush Truck Center of Indianapolis submitted a bid for four International trucks. Palmer Trucks of Terre Haute had a bid to sell four Kenworths.

The county received just one bid each for its needed distributor truck and chip spreader. Southeastern Equipment of Indianapolis submitted each of these bids.

Although the bid prices are not know, highway officials estimated that the trucks would come at a cost of $170,000 each, the chip spreader for $230,000 and the distributor for $190,000

• The highway department also received bids to rehabilitate Bridge 150 southeast of Greencastle. The bids were submitted by HIS Construction of Indianapolis and CLR Inc. of Vincennes.

All of these bids will be reviewed by County Attorney Jim Ensley and County Highway Supervisor Mike Ricketts before the commissioners consider a decision.