CLAYPOOL — Claypool Town Council approved Kosciusko Connect installing fiber optic lines and discussed town ordinances during a meeting on Tuesday.
Council President Benny Stage Jr. said it would cost the town $80,000 for Kosciusko Connect to install fiber optic lines within town limits for residents to hook up to if they so choose. Stage said council would use $20,000 in tax increment finance monies, $20,000 from interest on a certificate of deposit and $40,000 from the town's water utility sale to pay for the installation.
Kosciusko Connect can begin installing the lines in the spring.
Several matters pertaining to town ordinances also were discussed. Town Superintendent Danny Warner said some residents were not moving their parked vehicles during snow events or not moving their trash bins from the roadway. Warner told the council this affected his ability to plow the roads.
"(Trash cans) are supposed to be three feet back from the road, and now some people are leaving them in the road," Warner said.
Councilman Gene Warner said residents not moving their vehicles during snow events has been a recurring issue for years. Town Marshal Trevor Long emphasized the importance of the town's website getting brought back online in order to help better inform residents of ordinances.
"I don't like people's first interaction finding out about an ordinance being an ordinance violation fine," Long said.
With the trash bins, town employees and residents in attendance at the meeting said the new bins from Borden's had fliers on top of the bins. The fliers had information on them about when to move bins to and from the roadway.
"So they've already been notified about moving their trash cans back, year after year," said Gene. "There's no excuse for it. Nothing's going to change unless you get some teeth in it. It's went on for too long."
With ordinance violations, Long said his method of approach is speaking with people first. If compliance does not occur, residents will receive a letter, then fines will be implemented.
On parking violations during snow events, Long said both he and Reserve Deputy Marshal Paul Mullins are the only town employees allowed to enforce the parking ordinance.
Stage also noted the town is having an administrative meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22, to get more information on bringing Claypool's town website back online.
Long also asked the council to consider re-codifying the town's abandoned vehicle ordinance.
"The original ordinance for towing and storage of abandoned vehicles states the owner will be liable for towing and storage of the vehicle," said Long. "There are set dollar amounts and I believe it said $50 for the tow and $25 a day for storage."
Long said the ordinance also contains a lot of amendments, with some being duplicated.
Long said he and town attorney Rama Sobhani could collaborate on improving the ordinance.
The owner of 301 S. Main St. was also contacted by Long regarding the property becoming a nuisance due to piles of building materials and an unfilled large trench.
Long said he had to contact the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals to determine who most recently received a construction permit for the house. From there, he reached the building contractor, who got him in contact with the owner.
The property's owner has been given until Feb. 21 to get 301 S. Main St. in compliance.
Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers, also provided brief updates on upcoming meetings with county representatives and Louis Dreyfus.
Commonwealth will meet with the county on Friday, Jan. 24 to discuss the scope of stormwater work that may potentially occur in the Claypool area.
"What we're hearing is the county has allocated funds to upgrade some of the stormwater lines, possibly in and around Claypool," said Harrison.
Commonwealth will also meet with Louis Dreyfus this week to look at their wastewater stream.
Council also:
• Approved Stage continuing to serve as council president for 2025.
• Approved a yearly contract with Baker Tilly in the amount of $1,800 a month. The monthly rate increased by $200.
• Approved an application for a wastewater treatment construction permit.
• Approved the annual fire protection agreement.
• Approved Long applying for a grant to attend Crisis Intervention Team training at Warsaw Police Department.
• Approved Long applying for a grant through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for new vests for both Long and Mullins.
• Approved purchasing a new dump truck from City Ford of Columbia City. The truck will cost approximately $82,000.
Council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18.