BOURBON - The county ordinance requiring contractors to register has been proclaimed "a joke" by Bourbon councilmen.

Council's discussion Tuesday focused on the ordinance, which was passed Nov. 4. Contractors must pay $50 each calendar year to become registered. Proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, as well as possession of a performance bond, must be shown at the time of registration.

According to a cover letter sent by Building Commissioner Dennis Elliott, the ordinance will "help homeowners get what they pay for in their building projects, protect homeowners from liability for injuries and possibly help to slow the increase of insurance premiums."

But council president Bill Keyser said he believed the ordinance provided no protection to homeowners because "anyone who pays $50 is qualified; it doesn't attest to any capabilities." In fact, the ordinance states the county "is not in any way intending to test, license or judge the credibility or ability of any particular person who should become registered," he said.

Keyser said he was advised by legal council that the county could not make the town enforce the ordinance within town boundaries. The law is slated to go into effect Jan. 1.

The Bourbon Plan Commission agreed Nov. 11 to contact other officials of county towns on the matter and ask for their presence at a meeting with the Marshall County commissioners in January.

In other matters, EMT LeeAnn Cretcher reported that the move of equipment and ambulances into the newly remodeled ambulance garage has been accomplished and "the EMTs love it." She said the computer purchased with funds from the Eli Lily grant program has been installed and information is being loaded.

Cretcher said an EMT certification class will begin Jan. 13 and a few spaces remain. Interested persons are asked to contact Cretcher for information. Class fee is $300 for the six-month session. The local EMS will pay the tuition fee in return for one year of service after the student has been certified. "They are pretty much indentured servants for one year, but if they quit before the year is up, they must repay the tuition fee," she said.

Police Chief John West said the new computer has been installed in his department. Councilman Ken Workman said the town departments will soon need to go on the Internet to do day-to-day business. West said some equipment may be purchased only on the Internet, and many state offices routinely conduct business over the Internet.

Workman suggested a company such as GTE might be interested in establishing a local Internet carrier in town to serve town offices, the school system and other businesses.

Utilities superintendent Marty Martin said his workers have been preparing the ponds for controlled discharge of water this winter when land applications cannot take place. He said he will begin the process of obtaining permits to allow land application of treated water onto the southeast wetland area near the ponds.

Martin said a component at the water plant needs repair, and he would like to replace the equipment instead of making expensive repairs. He said he planned to replace the original 1960s equipment in 1998.

Martin reported no word from state officials about funds for the reconstruction of Center Street. Keyser will contact State Senator Kent Adams for advice on the matter as he recently received a letter from Adams promising support on the project.

Street department supervisor Roger Terry said his department has finished the fall pick-up of leaves. He asked that persons with leaves or other lawn debris place the material in containers such as boxes, not plastic bags, at the curbs for pick up. He said tree branches need not be in containers. [[In-content Ad]]