City Council seeks to limit housing occupants

Local News

Related Photos

File photo by Kelly Overton

Discussion

August 24, 2009

By Nate Smith, Staff Writer The Washington Times-Herald Mon Aug 24, 2009, 10:27 PM EDT

The Washington City Council is looking into a possible ordinance that would limit the amount of people living in one home.

Due to recent situations involving migrant workers hired and housed by area farms, Mayor Larry Haag asked council members if they would be willing to back him on an ordinance that would restrict occupants in a home based on square footage.

Haag said there were two homes where migrant workers were living in cramped conditions, some as many as 20 to 25 people living in a 1,200 square-foot home.

“They don’t allow this activity on a migrant farm,” Haag said. “We are going to be right here on the very same discussion next year because the state is not going to do anything about it.”

The city contacted local health officials, who then let the state Department of Health know of the situations and performed an investigation. Haag said by the time the state did anything about the situation, the workers would be gone. The migrant worker season in this area is about eight weeks.

“They’ve been there for six weeks now,” Haag said.

Haag, because there was a state investigation, could not reveal the farms who are housing the workers. During the council discussions, the farmers were renting local houses because regulations were strict for migrant housing on farm property.

Council members have said the city has explored the possibility before in past administrations, but said the city of Huntingburg may have an ordinance on its books limiting occupants based on square footage.

Haag said any ordinance would not be prejudicial to migrant workers who come through the area.

“This is not against the migrant worker, but this is a way to protect them,” Haag said.

No timetable was given for a possible ordinance, Haag said, but added he and City Attorney Jeff Norris were looking at ordinances, like the Huntingburg ordinance, that would help with the problem.

“We wonder if we do have the capability and we are exploring that capability,” Haag said.

In other business

BUDGET ORDINANCES

Four ordinances for the 2010 budget were introduced during the council meeting. No significant changes were heard and no one spoke during a public hearing about the budget. The ordinances will be up for a vote at the next council meeting.

NOISE ORDINANCE?

When asked by council members, Haag said he and Norris are looking into a possible noise ordinance. Since the issue of loud noise came before the council, Haag said city police have talked with some involved and may purchase decibel meters to monitor loud noises from vehicles.

“It is not only motorcycles, it is loud exhaust, radios and other things,” Haag said.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

The city entered into a consulting contract with Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates to create a sidewalk master plan, connecting Washington High School with Lena Dunn and North elementaries schools with sidewalks. The plan will be paid for with a $75,000 grant from the Safe Routes to School fund. Earlier, the city had won funding to build sidewalks near Lena Dunn Elementary School.

Haag told the Board of Public Works and Safety that the city has applied for further sidewalk grants on SR 57 and Flora Street.

SAFETY SIGNS

The council and public works board heard from Hugh Holland from Harvest Fellowship ministries about the possibility of putting school signs, handicapped parking and a four-way stop in front of the Cornerstone Christian School, formerly St. Mary’s school.

Haag asked the police, fire and street departments to look into the situation and give their recommendations, but a four-way stop on W. Main Street would not be an option.

The board did allow a Children Playing sign on N.E. 13th Street and Grand Avenue.

Text Only

Local News

2011 graduation rates announced
Data released by the Indiana Department of Education Tuesday shows graduation rates statewide increased 1.9 percent over last year and 4.3 percent over the 2009 rate to 85.7 percent; in total, 80 percent of graduates received a Core40 or Honors diploma, the most in Indiana’s history.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo 2 Stories
Area high school graduation rates
Area High School
Graduation Rates
   2011   2010

Shoals   71.2%   72.5%

Loogootee   81.3%   82.7%

Pike Central    96%   91%
North Knox   73.2%   79.5%
South Knox   95.7%   92.8%
Vincennes   82.2%   80%
Bloomfield   97.2%   97.4%
E.Greene   81.6   90.4%
Linton   81.6   86.5%
Shakamak   91.8%   93.4%
WRV   85.3%   86.4%

February 10, 2012
Local public graduation rates
Local public
graduation rates
Washington          83.4%
North Daviess            95.5%
Barr-Reeve            97.7%

February 10, 2012
Meth labs still an ever-present danger
The Indiana State Police recently released meth lab numbers for the state and announced those numbers, along with the number of meth-related arrests, continue to rise.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Levee asks for more funds
Four years after a devastating breach, the Bennington Levee in northern Daviess County remains in need of repair, and questions about how those costs will be paid and by whom, were the main focus of the regular meeting of the Daviess County Council Wednesday morning at the Courthouse.

February 9, 2012
Petersburg men arrested in truck wash armed robbery
An Indiana State Police investigation into the Jan. 29 armed robbery at Blue Beacon Truck Wash located near U.S. 41 and I-64 has prompted criminal charges being filed against Larry Nathaniel Davis, 26, and Branden Joe Walburn, 26, both from Petersburg. Felony warrants were issued yesterday afternoon for their arrests. At approximately 11:30 Tuesday night, Indiana State Police executed the warrants and arrested Davis and Walburn without incident.

February 8, 2012 2 Photos
Taking care of those who took care of you
With people living longer in today’s society, more and more adult children are faced with helping their aging parents make difficult decisions about their living situations.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo 2 Stories
Senior and Family Services ready to help
Senior and Family Services of Washington has a magnitude of services available, according to Executive Director Jill Cecil.

February 8, 2012
Free senior seminars
From March through November a one-hour seminar will be offered beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the last Thursday of each month at the Washington senior center, 211 E. Main St

February 8, 2012
Important Phone Numbers for Seniors
Important Phone Numbers
Washington Senior Center 254-1881/1-800-536-1881
Odon Senior Center 636-4722
Petersburg Senior Center 354-8727
Winslow Senior Center 789-9405
Ride Solution 254-3225/1-800-369-8899
Generations 888-5880/1-800-742-9002

February 8, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

City Council seeks to limit housing occupants

Is Mitt Romney the leading Republican presidential candidate?

Site Map

Contact Us