Police presence, speeding issues in Fillmore

FILLMORE ­-- With a full audience of residents present, the Fillmore Town Council addressed and heard about a variety of issues during its regular session Thursday evening.

Two of them considered a lack of a police cover within the town, in addition to trying to get speeders to slow down, as concerns that have recently been highlighted.

In his monthly report, Town Marshal Darrel Bunten responded that he understood the town’s frustrations. He also acknowledged that Fillmore’s presence was understaffed, but also provided that he has been on full-time, including at night.

Bunten shared his own frustration with a lack of communication between himself and reserve officers who are set to come on. As such, he said he had sent them emails requesting them start on their patrols or be terminated. Reserves are required to serve 16 hours a month.

Saying that “If you give an inch, they’ll take a mile,” Bunten told the room he was doing what he could on his own to address speeding that regularly occurs in Fillmore.

The council then revisited the prospect of installing radar speed monitors within the town, especially on Cemetery Road where residents have complained about speeders.

Council President Bill Ashcraft opined they would not be effective without a consistent police presence to write tickets. Before the meeting’s conclusion, a resident suggested that a “Children Playing” sign could be set up on that stretch instead.

However, the overall issue for the council has been how to cover the cost. As such, Clerk-Treasurer Jayna Haldeman said she needed more time to look into police grants or funding from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) that could be available.

Resolving another tabled issue, Councilman C.J. Huller motioned that the town proceed with a cleanup bid at 122 N. Main St. He added that the homeowner should be required to cover the cost within a month of its completion. Should this not be accomplished, a lien will then be placed on the home.

The council passed Huller’s motion, which mitigated a tense disagreement between Ashcraft and Councilwoman Robin Duncan in September. While Ashcraft advocated the town’s responsibility with no improvements being made, Duncan believed this would set a precedent concerning similar decisions with other properties.

In other business, the council heard a request from Joy Marley of People Pathways to add to a letter of support for local trail improvements. She said the organization was applying for a grant from the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust Fund, which could cover up to $10,000 worth of repairs.

Marley added that Fillmore Elementary School, the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center and the Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as State Rep. Beau Baird, had already signed on. The council signaled it would endorse the letter.

The council and residents also heard from Joshua Bougie of the U.S. Census Bureau regarding the upcoming national census in 2020. He said that residents may provide their household information through the paper route as well as by phone or online, two choices which he said were not available for the 2010 census.

However, he added that it would be optimal to complete any of these before Census Day on April 1. This is so the bureau can mitigate public funds as much as possible from being used to send out census workers door to door.

The next regular meeting of the Fillmore Town Council is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. the Fillmore Town Hall.