Daviess County Commissioners increased the cost of buggy licenses at their Monday meeting and agreed to put a new septic system at the Lighthouse Recovery Center, with the stipulation that the center take over maintenance of the system.
The buggy ordinance came up for consideration and it was suggested by Commissioner Tony Wichman that the $25 buggy license was too low.
Commissioner Jim Truelove agreed saying it takes $47,000 to fix 3-foot wide grooves in a county road and “we do this every year and we don’t make $47,000 (off the licenses).”
Auditor Gail Doades suggested a late fee after the May 10 deadline would help as the county is having a problem knowing how many licenses to order.
“That makes it seem like we’re penalizing someone who purchases a new buggy or makes one,” Commission Steve Myers said.
“You’re not penalizing anyone,” Truelove said. “I guarantee that they’re going to take the plate off one and put it on another.”
Myers disagreed with the increase and voted no, while Wichman and Truelove approved the increase which will take affect for 2009.
Doades said the county sells about 2,000 plates a year and they can be purchased at the auditor’s office, the highway department, Raber’s Buggy Shop or Peoples Bank branch on the Odon-Cannelburg Road.
Tom Schroeder with Schroeder and Associates presented the commissioners with plans for a new septic system at the Lighthouse Recovery Center. He said they had studied the feasibility of connecting with the Washington sewer system through a series of small pump lines, but learned the city did not want additional small pumps connecting to its system.
The current septic system at the Lighthouse is illegal and has to be replaced, according to Schroeder. The proposed mound system, built in two phases, would handle the existing building which houses 40 men and a possible industrial park with up to 200 workers. Phase one would handle the Lighthouse and includes replacing the current tank, building a wetland cell and one mound. The wetland cell would retain water for five to seven days. The only pumps would be in the mound itself and the cost would be about $100,000.
Wichman said the bills to clean out the current tank are mounting as the county has already paid about $12,000 in claims. “We have to do something,” Wichman said. “They’ve got 40 people out there. They’re full.”
Schroeder said the load (on a septic system) in summer is reduced to about half, otherwise they would need four mounds. “It’s a longevity thing,” he said. “This will last a long time.”
The system will take up about 2.3 acres.
Truelove questioned where they would find $100,000 and the commissioners agreed to ask the county council at its Thursday meeting for an additional appropriation.
“We’ve got to do something or close it,” Truelove said.
Myers pointed out when the building was used for the county home it was costing the county $100,000 a year for the six people that lived there. “But if we do this, from now on the Lighthouse takes care of everything,” he added. “Twenty years from now I don’t want the county to have to do this again.”
In a final bit of business, the commissioners learned the town of Montgomery wanted the county to repair CR 650E where it runs through the town. According to Montgomery Town Board minutes in 1978, when the Daviess County Landfill was built on the road the county had agreed to keep the road repaired. The Solid Waste District was later established and took over the landfill.
“The agreement is null and void,” Myers said. “There is no Daviess County Landfill, its the Solid Waste District.”
The state Board of Accounts has told the SWD they don’t have the power to spend money inside the city limits of Montgomery, according to SWD attorney Harry Hanson.
“That road has major issues,” Truelove said. “The road is falling apart. We said we can’t maintain it and they said due to the minutes you will maintain it.”
Highway foreman Phil Cornelius said Montgomery have been getting paid by the state for use of the road since 1978. He thought that money should be available for repairs.
Hanson said he would study the statue that created the SWD and get together with county attorney Jeff Hayes and report back to the commissioners.
Local News
Cost of buggy license to increase in Daviess County
- Local News
-
-
Seidel crowned WC's homecoming queen
Madison Seidel, daughter of Jane and Richard Seidel of Washington, was crowned 2012 Washington Catholic Homecoming Queen at the Birdcage on Saturday.
-
Car becomes stuck on railroad tracks; driver cited
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Schnitzelbank has No. 1 sandwich in Indiana
Indianapolis had a great time hosting the Super Bowl and although most of the attention appeared to be focused on all things Brady, Manning and Manning (sounds like a law firm), however, we know the star that shined the brightest was the Indiana Super 46 sandwich contest.
-
Messmer in Washington to discuss current legislation
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
One bill of local interest that has passed through the House is HB 1149, the smoking ban. It would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed places of employment and within 12 feet of a public entrance to those places. It also would prohibit smoking in certain state vehicles if signed into law. -
Messmer hears concerns
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
-
Car finds railroad tracks
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
