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.