House In Bourbon To Be Demolished

November 9, 2016 at 6:31 p.m.

By Carol Anders-

BOURBON – The Bourbon Town Council Tuesday learned that a dilapidated house at 308 Center St. could be torn down in the next couple of weeks.
The town council and town attorney Mark Wagner have been using legal means to secure the rights to have the dwelling removed.
According to Bill Keyser, Zoning/Building, Langfeldt Excavating LLC in Plymouth will do the demolition for $13,000 as soon as NIPSCO disconnects gas lines on the property. Electric service has already been disconnected. Langfeldt also will be clearing the lot for an additional $3,910. A quote from G & M Tree Service for tree and bush removal for $3,800 also was passed by the council.
Keyser informed the council that a similar situation to have a house removed at 207 W. Park Ave. is still in the works. He said, “It is headed for court.”
A meeting for a newly formed Comprehensive Plan Committee is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Matchett Center on North Harris Street. Michiana Area Council of Government is heading up the efforts to create a comprehensive plan for the town. Council President Les McFarland said they have 16 members chosen for the committee and they hope to have 20. Although the meeting is open to the public, the meeting is only to receive comments from committee members.
Council members voted unanimously to transfer ownership of town minutes covering the years of 1865 to 1935 to the Marshall County Historical Museum. Town Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger said the books were in fragile condition and would be transported by museum staff.
Steve Stacy, wastewater superintendent, reported on the findings of the departments’ use of cameras in exiting pipes. According to Stacy, there are ongoing problems with infiltrations. He indicated that they did not find the source of the problem, but they were able to locate taps. He also noted that there is some buildup of grease at the school site. Stacy said they have completed cleaning storm drains that had not been cleared completely for two years.
Included in the Bourbon Police Department report was 865 daily log entries for October. Officers issued 100 written and verbal warnings, had 230 requests for service, 42 general complaints and a number of additional activities.
Ongoing correspondence between Wagner and John Edminister, president of Shell, concerning clearing debris from the property also was a topic of discussion. Wagner and Berger said the company requested that the town assist in cleaning out drains. The council is formally denying the request.
McFarland said, “We cleaned them out two years ago. It is a waste of time and energy.”
Council member P.J. Hanley said, “It is not our problem that their property is flooded.”
The council has been working with Shell to honor a commitment to clear the waste. Shell advised them via email to Wagner that they had removed 1,148 tons and produced 188 tons in October. It was noted by council members that the debris was from inside and between buildings. Council member Larry Wattenbarger said the company has not removed product from what he terms the “mountain.” Stacy said the town has water lines that they can not access if there is a water line break.
A meeting with Shell and the town is scheduled for Dec. 16.
Kenneth Jones, of Jones Petrie Rafinski,  outlined his company’s services in a number of areas including engineering, architecture, environmental renewable energy, landscape architecture, utilities management, surveying and planning. Jones said he was not asking for a contract, but offered services that would be billed upon request.
Jones said, “It doesn’t take anything more than a handshake.”
McFarland asked Jones specifically about fiber optic for the town. Jones indicated that he would look into grants that might be available.

BOURBON – The Bourbon Town Council Tuesday learned that a dilapidated house at 308 Center St. could be torn down in the next couple of weeks.
The town council and town attorney Mark Wagner have been using legal means to secure the rights to have the dwelling removed.
According to Bill Keyser, Zoning/Building, Langfeldt Excavating LLC in Plymouth will do the demolition for $13,000 as soon as NIPSCO disconnects gas lines on the property. Electric service has already been disconnected. Langfeldt also will be clearing the lot for an additional $3,910. A quote from G & M Tree Service for tree and bush removal for $3,800 also was passed by the council.
Keyser informed the council that a similar situation to have a house removed at 207 W. Park Ave. is still in the works. He said, “It is headed for court.”
A meeting for a newly formed Comprehensive Plan Committee is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Matchett Center on North Harris Street. Michiana Area Council of Government is heading up the efforts to create a comprehensive plan for the town. Council President Les McFarland said they have 16 members chosen for the committee and they hope to have 20. Although the meeting is open to the public, the meeting is only to receive comments from committee members.
Council members voted unanimously to transfer ownership of town minutes covering the years of 1865 to 1935 to the Marshall County Historical Museum. Town Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger said the books were in fragile condition and would be transported by museum staff.
Steve Stacy, wastewater superintendent, reported on the findings of the departments’ use of cameras in exiting pipes. According to Stacy, there are ongoing problems with infiltrations. He indicated that they did not find the source of the problem, but they were able to locate taps. He also noted that there is some buildup of grease at the school site. Stacy said they have completed cleaning storm drains that had not been cleared completely for two years.
Included in the Bourbon Police Department report was 865 daily log entries for October. Officers issued 100 written and verbal warnings, had 230 requests for service, 42 general complaints and a number of additional activities.
Ongoing correspondence between Wagner and John Edminister, president of Shell, concerning clearing debris from the property also was a topic of discussion. Wagner and Berger said the company requested that the town assist in cleaning out drains. The council is formally denying the request.
McFarland said, “We cleaned them out two years ago. It is a waste of time and energy.”
Council member P.J. Hanley said, “It is not our problem that their property is flooded.”
The council has been working with Shell to honor a commitment to clear the waste. Shell advised them via email to Wagner that they had removed 1,148 tons and produced 188 tons in October. It was noted by council members that the debris was from inside and between buildings. Council member Larry Wattenbarger said the company has not removed product from what he terms the “mountain.” Stacy said the town has water lines that they can not access if there is a water line break.
A meeting with Shell and the town is scheduled for Dec. 16.
Kenneth Jones, of Jones Petrie Rafinski,  outlined his company’s services in a number of areas including engineering, architecture, environmental renewable energy, landscape architecture, utilities management, surveying and planning. Jones said he was not asking for a contract, but offered services that would be billed upon request.
Jones said, “It doesn’t take anything more than a handshake.”
McFarland asked Jones specifically about fiber optic for the town. Jones indicated that he would look into grants that might be available.

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