Ferdinand Town Council: Discussions went in all sorts of directions during 2.5 hour meeting

For years scholars have been debating but have never reached a conclusion: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Proponents on both sides have ready arguments to back up their claims.

A similar issue has been, if not debated, discussed over the last few months at Ferdinand Town Council meetings: Who should be responsible for improvements on a gravel street at 3rd and Georgia Street?

Mark Oser, his brother-in-law, Jerome Boeckman and Boeckman’s sister, Marilyn Hopster, were all in attendance at the Ferdinand Town Council meeting Tuesday night (October 14). Oser lives in the area and the family would like to sell lots but are unable to because 3rd and Georgia is more like a gravel lane.

According to Attorney Bill Shaneyfelt, though the streets were platted as rights-of-way in 1875, they were never accepted into the town’s street inventory and thus, never improved. Town employees do the minimum amount of work necessary, occasionally adding gravel or clearing the snow, to allow emergency access.

Shaneyfelt said there are other platted but undeveloped streets in town that are not part of the inventory.

The town did, however, extend sewer and water service to the area to allow for future development.

“We have limited resources to take care of roads,” said Councilwoman Debbie Johnson.

The entire budget for 2014 was $60,000 and the priority list for 2015 has already been established.

Johnson suggested the Boeckman family members may want to establish a subdivision instead of selling larger lots, but this would require them to build the streets.

“I still think legally it is a town street that was never improved,” opined Boeckman.

“The Town monitors the street inventory,” said Shaneyfelt. “That has never been a part of the inventory. The Town also receives [state] money for the streets in the inventory,” and they’ve never received funding for (east) 3rd and Georgia.

Council President Ken Sicard said Property and Street Superintendent Tom Lueken will gather cost estimates for the improvements over winter and then he would be happy to meet with them to seek a resolution.

Town-wide Clean-up

It happens every year around this time — Fall Clean-up, when residents have a chance to dispose of large items.

This year, residents can take large items to the limb drop off site on East 23rd Street this Thursday and Friday, October 16 and 17, from 1-6 p.m. and on Saturday, October 18 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Staff from Monster Recycling will be on hand to collect the large items. They will also pick up for those who need assistance.

Trash will be picked up as usual on Monday, October 20, then, on October 21, town employees will pick up large items left curbside for everyone living on the west side of Main Street. The next day, October 22, they will do the same on the east side of Main and will use October 23 if necessary to finish this task.

Items taken to Monster will likely be disposed of for free. Items picked up curbside may result in a charge.

The council also:

Set Trick or Treating hours for 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31.
Adopted the 2015 budget via Ordinance 2014-17. The adopted tax levy is $690,130 based on a tax rate of .7640 for a budget of $2,250,687.
Adopted Resolution 2014-05, transferring $100,000 ($85,000 from electric cash reserves and $15,000 from the operating fund) into the General Fund.
Learned from Chief Ricky Patton the police department received a $648.86 grant from the Dubois County Substance Abuse Council to pay for portable field drug testing kits to test for marijuana, narcotics, bath salts, etc. for officers to carry in their cars.
Approved expenses related to training for new officer Caleb Lindeman and eight hours pay for Captain Bieker and Sgt. Seffernick for specialized training October 30.
Heard both the Fire and Wastewater departments will participate in a Confined Space Rescue operation October 28 at MasterBrand.
Heard a reminder from Fire Chief Dan Lindauer that since October is Fire Prevention Month, residents should check and clean smoke detectors, check chimneys and furnaces prior to winter.
Learned Lindauer is looking for a few good men — or women — to serve on the department. Applicants must be 21 and applications can be picked up at Town Hall or from any fireman.
Heard that Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer has assigned 9-1-1 addresses at the monastery. He has provided Central Dispatch, EMS and the fire and police departments with the addresses and the Sisters will number all their buildings.
Held a hearing and adopted Ordinance 2014-13, amending the Ferdinand Municipal code as it relates to permits, inspection and connection fees. A wastewater connection for homes and duplexes is now $850 plus costs. Apartments, nursing home sand commercial changes to $1,000 plus $15 for each toilet and sink.
Got that $3,000 grant anyway after thinking it was lost. The grant was used to purchase a.m. radio transmission equipment that will be used primarily in emergency situations. It should be up and running by December 1.
Adopted ordinances and resolutions required to provide a Tax Abatement for Promising Properties. The existing apartment complex on West 9th Street will be renovated, the facade replaced, landscaping and the parking lot upgraded. The four year abatement based on $600,00will start at 100% year one, 75% year two, 50% year three and 25% year four. A special meeting was set for 9 a.m. Monday, November 3 at Town Hall relating to this abatement.
Heard a complaint about double booking park shelter houses and agreed to revamp the reservation process.
Learned employee health insurance will increase 12% for 2015, amounting to $14,441. Insurance will be discussed further at the November 11 meeting.
Received a map route for the Tri-County YMCA Monster Dash, to be held Saturday, November 1 starting at 9 a.m. at the Y (same route as last year). Volunteers will be stationed at all main intersections. Organizer Pat Miller said 250 dashers are expected.
Heard from resident Ray Major, who is considering a new solar electric (photovoltaic) system for his home and learned the town does not have anything in place for metering and billing zero net energy. He provided a copy of Jasper’s code and asked the council to consider developing a Ferdinand code.
Discussed appointments and vacancies for 2015 and reappointed Keith Rahman to the newly revived Economic Development Commission.
Heard from Town manager Chris James that the 2014 Folk Fest was the best yet. The loosely formed comittee that has managed it the last five years is going to tighten up, choose a chair and set specific committees within the larger committee.
Set a special meeting for Monday, October 27 at 5 p.m. to finalize items for the Benet Hall project.
Heard the Plan Commission will meet at 7 p.m. on October 22.