District 5 News:
Hello,
News from the latest town council meeting November 17, 2010.
The Solar System Model and Trail ribbon cutting and opening on Saturday, November 13, 2010, was a success/ we had about 200 in attendance and the rain held off long enough for many to walk the trail. It is now officially open for use and the remaining solar system panels are going in. The trail is located along the west entrance drive to Meijer off of German Church rd and extends all the way to 600 west. The next phase is the planning and right of way acquisition is the Buck Creek Trail portion headed north along the creek. This is being initially funded by state money left from the original Pennsy Trail state grant.
I gave a report on the Hancock Economic Development Council. In the past year or so the HEDC has been instrumental in bringing business to Hancock County, not in Cumberland yet but getting closer. Interdell coming in up at Mt. Comfort area means employees will be looking for housing and Cumberland will almost certainly be on the list. Stanley/Black and Decker in Shelbyville has decided to consolidate that factory with one in Connecticut and relocate both to the Eaton plant in Greenfield and Covance has almost doubled the number of jobs they have in the past 2 yrs. There is also a company relocating from Marion County to Fortville which is bringing jobs. I believe that any companies coming to Hancock county, especially the west side, is good for the county and good for Cumberland because all of those employees will have to live and shop somewhere and hopefully some will look at Cumberland. The HEDC has a couple of more possibilities that I can not elaborate on yet. I can say that a majority of the businesses that locate here come as leads through the HEDC and with out that organization the possibility of growth would drop a good amount.
The purchase of GEM utilities has gone through and the town is now in the process of working on the billing system integration with our current version.
The town council has voted in favor of approving the Autumn Woods changes requested by the potential developer Pulte Homes by a vote of 4-1 with mine being the nay vote. I expressed my concern that we were allowing the requirements to fall back down to what they were when asked for originally years ago.
The Washington street project is wrapping up for the year and INDOT has told us they hope to have the barrels gone by the end of November. The street lights are still an issue as a billing question with INDOT and the manufacturer being behind schedule have delayed their construction and install.
The town legal council has introduced an ordinance regard the owning and keeping of farm livestock on properties with in the town limits. We had an issue where horses, goats and other farm animals were being kept at a residence in the old part of town. We have since had at least one resident request that changes to this be made to make is possible to keep a small number chickens for personal egg supply be included. This change was included in the final introduced draft.
Joe Siefker
Cumberland town council.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Town News 11/3/10
District 5 News:
Hello,
News from the latest town council meeting November 3, 2010.
Chief Crooke introduced Sheriff Elect of Hancock County, Mike Shepherd. Shepherd has worked with our chief over the years and he is looking forward to working with him in the future. He is making visits to all of the localities in Hancock county to better foster communication.
There will be a Solar System Model and Trail ribbon cutting and opening on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the EARTH panel of the solar system. This is located along the west entrance drive to Meijer off of German Church rd. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. There will be guest speakers possibly including a NASA astronaut. The trail is already a big hit with many citizens using it on a daily basis.
Buck Creek Fire Department, reported that the Department was recently donated one engine, one heavy duty rescue vehicle and two ambulances from the Volunteer Corporation of Castleton (also known as Lawrence Township) because of the merger of Lawrence Township with Marion County. This will also provide them with about 20 additional, trained, volunteers. I also reported that I received a call from Mel Branson, Township trustee, about the newly acquired equipment and where it might be used. Though the Town cannot afford it now, it would be nice if perhaps in the future the town could build its own station and the Buck Creek Fire Department would staff it with the equipment and volunteers. This may help cut back the amount we pay for fire service from Buck Creek. We will have to see what the future holds.
The Hugo Street and Cumberland Proper Phase II storm drain projects are coming right along. They have been walked-through by Wessler and Council members, and bids should take place soon. They have been talking with residents in the area affected. We have identified these as major, urgent project for the next fiscal year as Hugo street is sinking in many spots and the proper phase II area is the part of old town south of Washington st and still retain the original sewer system which has been falling apart for years and causing other infrastructure issues.
The town manager gave an update on the Washington street project and mentioned INDOT’s focus is currently on the stretch between Town Hall and Grassy Creek (Kroger). INDOT will install a new concrete manhole structure at Hugo Street that will replace the current brick one at no cost to the Town. It was also reported that several side streets will be closed for up to two weeks at a time (for curing) in order to install crosswalks. This depends upon the weather (temperature and rain). If weather delays this, it will be next spring before they finish crosswalks. There have been issues with the project recently with town underground assets being discovered during the project and we have been very fortunate that INDOT has agreed to replace or repair to remedy the issues at not cost to the town. The pipes and lines they have found were not on the town maps but are part of our system.
Central Indiana Power, the Town, and the Valley Brook Village Home Owner’s Association have come to an agreement that will not be costly to either the HOA or the Town concerning the tree trimming along 21st Street. It will cost approximately $20,000 to move the power lines and put them under ground at CIP’s cost. They are still working on obtaining Right-of-Way from two home owners necessary to use to go between their houses. I am glad to see this remedy and thanks to the HOA representative for their work on this. I stated to the town and CIP that the lines were underground before the work was done and I was going to hold firm to my stance that they should be put back underground and avoid cutting down trees.
The town street department is currently in leaf pick up mode and pretty much on schedule. Hopefully the leaves fall before the snow flies. Areas of Cobblefield, and Valley Brook Village are not routinely on the schedule do to the low number of trees and hence low number of leaves but we do pay into the town for pick up as part of our taxes, so if you have leaves rake them towards the edge of the road but not in the road and call the town to be sure they know to come by.
Joe Siefker
Cumberland town council.
Hello,
News from the latest town council meeting November 3, 2010.
Chief Crooke introduced Sheriff Elect of Hancock County, Mike Shepherd. Shepherd has worked with our chief over the years and he is looking forward to working with him in the future. He is making visits to all of the localities in Hancock county to better foster communication.
There will be a Solar System Model and Trail ribbon cutting and opening on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at the EARTH panel of the solar system. This is located along the west entrance drive to Meijer off of German Church rd. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. There will be guest speakers possibly including a NASA astronaut. The trail is already a big hit with many citizens using it on a daily basis.
Buck Creek Fire Department, reported that the Department was recently donated one engine, one heavy duty rescue vehicle and two ambulances from the Volunteer Corporation of Castleton (also known as Lawrence Township) because of the merger of Lawrence Township with Marion County. This will also provide them with about 20 additional, trained, volunteers. I also reported that I received a call from Mel Branson, Township trustee, about the newly acquired equipment and where it might be used. Though the Town cannot afford it now, it would be nice if perhaps in the future the town could build its own station and the Buck Creek Fire Department would staff it with the equipment and volunteers. This may help cut back the amount we pay for fire service from Buck Creek. We will have to see what the future holds.
The Hugo Street and Cumberland Proper Phase II storm drain projects are coming right along. They have been walked-through by Wessler and Council members, and bids should take place soon. They have been talking with residents in the area affected. We have identified these as major, urgent project for the next fiscal year as Hugo street is sinking in many spots and the proper phase II area is the part of old town south of Washington st and still retain the original sewer system which has been falling apart for years and causing other infrastructure issues.
The town manager gave an update on the Washington street project and mentioned INDOT’s focus is currently on the stretch between Town Hall and Grassy Creek (Kroger). INDOT will install a new concrete manhole structure at Hugo Street that will replace the current brick one at no cost to the Town. It was also reported that several side streets will be closed for up to two weeks at a time (for curing) in order to install crosswalks. This depends upon the weather (temperature and rain). If weather delays this, it will be next spring before they finish crosswalks. There have been issues with the project recently with town underground assets being discovered during the project and we have been very fortunate that INDOT has agreed to replace or repair to remedy the issues at not cost to the town. The pipes and lines they have found were not on the town maps but are part of our system.
Central Indiana Power, the Town, and the Valley Brook Village Home Owner’s Association have come to an agreement that will not be costly to either the HOA or the Town concerning the tree trimming along 21st Street. It will cost approximately $20,000 to move the power lines and put them under ground at CIP’s cost. They are still working on obtaining Right-of-Way from two home owners necessary to use to go between their houses. I am glad to see this remedy and thanks to the HOA representative for their work on this. I stated to the town and CIP that the lines were underground before the work was done and I was going to hold firm to my stance that they should be put back underground and avoid cutting down trees.
The town street department is currently in leaf pick up mode and pretty much on schedule. Hopefully the leaves fall before the snow flies. Areas of Cobblefield, and Valley Brook Village are not routinely on the schedule do to the low number of trees and hence low number of leaves but we do pay into the town for pick up as part of our taxes, so if you have leaves rake them towards the edge of the road but not in the road and call the town to be sure they know to come by.
Joe Siefker
Cumberland town council.
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