Ferdinand Town Council: MasterBrand abatement a go

It’s official. Following a hearing Tuesday night at which no one showed up to object, the Ferdinand Town Council granted a tax abatement to MasterBrand Cabinets that will increase the company’s equipment base and add 135 jobs.

Council President Ken Sicard credited Michael Cummings, Interim President with Dubois Strong, for contacting him when MasterBrand was considering expansion options. The knowledge gave Sicard a leg up in encouraging company officials to expand in Ferdinand.

Cummings, along with Dubois Strong chairman Al Johnson, was on hand to give a year in review report on the Local Economic Development Corporation that is made up of a unique public and private partnership focused on a different set of goals.

Johnson said board members put aside their future planning process and asked themselves: Why do we exist? Are we viable? Do we need to exist? and What direction do we need to go?

The answers sent them in a different direction. Since the county consistently posts the lowest unemployment numbers in the state, Dubois Strong will focus on workforce growth, business growth for existing companies and entrepreneurial growth.

Al Johnson promised to return later in the year for an update.

The council also:

• Agreed to change the number of reserve officers from five to seven, then met the five newest reserves (two are currently on board). They are Beau Anderson from Ferdinand, Eric Hopkins and Matthew Hasenour from Jasper, Adam Fleck and Tom Merkley from St. Anthony. Pending clean drug screens that can, hopefully be expedited, the five will begin their 40-hour pre-basic in Cannelton February 25. Councilwoman Deb Johnson was in total agreement with the change in numbers. “I love the reserve program,” she said. Councilman Ron Weyer agreed. Attorney Bill Shaneyfelt will revise the paperwork making the number change to be adopted at the March 11 meeting, retroactive to the February 11 session.

• Heard Sicard met with county commissioners who signed off on a grant to install an AM radio station that would serve the town via three station sites controlled by computer. The grant application has been forwarded to Homeland Security for review.

• Heard several items of importance from Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer:

– Long-time employee Kenny Schipp plans to retire March 3 after 14 years with the department. “He has done an outstanding job — he will be greatly missed,” opined Schaefer.

– Second, Schaefer requested a title search to determine if there is a written easement for a sewer main leading to Scenic Hills Care Center. The main needs to be replaced and, per Shaneyfelt’s suggestion, a focused search was authorized. The attorney said there is a prescriptive easement but actual dimensions or scope are unclear.

– Finally, Schaefer reported the NPDS permit to reduce phosphorous in the wastewater system arrived Friday. The effective date to start the clock ticking is June 1 and the first step in the process must be completed by December 1. He will set up a meeting with Jon Wetzel of Midwestern Engineering to discuss solutions. Sicard said he was contacted by the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission and they might be able to assist.

• Agreed to refinance Sanitary Sewer bonds per Ordinance 2014-02, giving authority to refinance the 1998-issued bonds at a lower rate and potentially save the town upwards of $400,000. Ice Miller is serving as bond counsel. Cost for the refinancing is $75,000.

• Transferred service for 1.163 acres west of RDM to Dubois REC.

• Heard from Town Manager Chris James the Leadership Academy will start its fourth year on April 4. While James will serve as chair, he will also participate, so former Town Manager Marc Steczyk has agreed to co-chair. Interested candidates will be invited to apply. The Academy started in Ferdinand, and Jasper and Huntingburg were brought into the mix in year two, along with other partners. The council agreed to contribute $1,000 to the Academy.

• Approved a proposal from Assistant Police Chief Rob Randle to allow officers to purchase and install a security camera system in the Police Department and allocated $800 for the project.

• Learned from Fire Chief Dan Lindauer his department was called out 17 times in January, nine for fires and eight First Responder runs. He, along with Deputy Chief Matt Reckelhoff and Assistant Chief Donnie Mohr, will attend a Leadership Seminar in Huntingburg February 22.

• Heard Property and Street Superintendent Tom Lueken has already gone through more rock salt than he usually does though an entire winter (around 68 tons) but has 40-45 tons that will “hopefully get us through the next six weeks or whatever the groundhog thinks.”

• Will hold an additional appropriation hearing March 11 at 8 p.m. to roll $80,000 into the Park’s Special projects Fund.

• Approved claims, including a special claim of $3,050.64 from Strand for work on the trails project in December.