Board of Works OKs traffic study for proposed PUD site

A traffic study aimed at determining how traffic flow might go if a planned subdivision goes through on the city’s northeast side was approved Wednesday afternoon by the Greencastle Board of Works.

The $34,800 study will be done by Traffic Engineering Inc., Danville, and is expected to take until early July to complete.

Mayor Bill Dory noted that city officials have been working with both the developers, Aspire Development, and the neighbors in the area of the proposed planned unit development (PUD), “and questions have arisen about traffic flow in the neighborhood.”

The mayor noted that some traffic is already using Evensview as a cut through in lieu of a traditional north-south route through the area such as the proposed Fawnview Drive-Albin Pond Road would be. There is no north-south access through the area between Arlington Street and Round Barn Road.

“The road connection is called for in our comprehensive plan,” Dory added, “so if this doesn’t go through we’ll have to decide what we want to do instead.”

The base traffic study will focus on Fawnview but also tying in Judson Drive in some way. Residents can expect to see traffic counters in some locations.

Plans are for the traffic study to commence before school lets out to provide the most accurate traffic count, Dory said.

Meanwhile, the mayor reported that research continues on the fire hydrant project in which several hydrants are needed in areas within city limits.

The city ultimately will be installing 19 fire hydrants and valves with 10 new hydrants to be put in between Tacoma Drive and Toddson Drive and nine upgrades in various locations within the system. The new fire hydrants and new valves will increase fire protection and system isolation capabilities.

“We’re continuing research,” the mayor said, noting that he received a call Wednesday from Robbie Cudnik in the plat office at the courthouse, who found a number of easements that should help the city in implementing the project.

In other business, the board:

-- Approved an $8,700 contract with Christopher Burke Engineering, Indianapolis, to do a “major rewrite” of the city’s MS-4 stormwater ordinance.

-- Heard the mayor report that construction work on the new city parking lot at the northeast corner of North Indiana and East Columbia streets is coming up with the project going out for bids at the end of the month. After that, attention will be turned to the city lot north of the Banner Graphic building for some necessary repairs and revision.

-- Approved monthly wastewater claims of $91,513 and water claims of $61,902.

-- Briefly discussed a succession plan for the police and fire departments after learning that Assistant Police Chief Brian Hopkins has turned in his resignation effective May 1 and with the knowledge that Chief Tom Sutherlin’s future appears tied to one of the three Putnam County sheriff candidates. “We need to be developing leaders continually,” board member Craig Tuggle said.

“We’re going to have a young Police Department,” board member Trudy Selvia observed.

Mayor Dory noted the importance of “knowledge transfer” is such situations. “Depending on how everything is handled, it sets up for a waterfall effect.

“We have some good candidates who have potential for moving up,” the mayor added.

Dory, Selvia and Tuggle were joined for the April meeting by Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar, City Attorney Laurie Hardwick and City Planner Scott Zimmerman.