Dollar General Ribbon Cutting, Grand Opening Set In Bourbon
May 9, 2018 at 5:49 p.m.
By Carol Anders-
The new Dollar General grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated for 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
Steve Stacy, wastewater superintendent, told the council members at their regular meeting Tuesday night that the water and sewer lines connecting the building to the town’s services were working well.
Council member P.J. Hanley said there has been increased foot traffic to the area since the opening of the store and he was concerned that the grassy path leading to the store would become a “muddy mess.” After a short discussion, the council voted 3-0 to extend sidewalk on the east side of the street to the store. Roger Terry, street department, was asked to obtain quotes for the sidewalk work.
Prior to the final vote, council member Larry Wattenbarger made some general comments about sidewalk violation enforcement.
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Wattenbarger said, “I’m in favor of sidewalks. But if we are going to put in sidewalks, we need to enforce parking on them.”
He cited several examples of large and small vehicles that he had observed straddling sidewalks or actually parking on them. He said, “Where the motorhome parks, kids walking to school have to go into the street to get by.”
Police Chief Bill Martin asked for clarification on how the council would like violations handled, as to giving warnings or issuing citations. The consensus of the council was to have police officers speak with offenders first, then issue warnings if violations were not corrected, as well as take further action to make sure parking was not violating town policies.
Stacy also asked for direction as to working on drains and lines that are within roadways that are being resurfaced. He said he intends to concentrate on the needed improvements. Hanley concurred, saying, “I think we out too many Band-Aids on it. “
Council President Les McFarland shared his support, indicating that the roads and streets being resurfaced as a result of the town receiving a Community Crossing grant should receive the work to make sure they are in top condition.
Although not an agenda item, Hanley shared his concern that Bourbon needs to be diligent in making sure the town’s needs are factored into the state’s plan to upgrade U.S. 30 between Fort Wayne and Valparaiso. He said he had attended two meetings on the proposed plan and that he wasn’t convinced that Bourbon’s needs were being heard.
He said, “331 cannot be their only exit. Farmers need a way too to get across U.S. 30.”
McFarland and Wattenbarger echoed Hanley’s concerns. Hanley said, “It’s important that we get input on the plan.”
The president of the Marshall County commissioners, Kevin Overmyer, presented a short overview of the Regional Economic Stellar Grant that could bring some $7 million to $8 million dollars into the area for projects. At this point, the Marshall County region is one of the six finalists for the grant award.
Although a $20,000 planning grant will be used to launch the planning locally, it will take more funding for advertising, videos and hiring a consultant to develop a list of projects to present for the final determination. A committee is being formed to oversee the local efforts.
Overmyer said they are asking towns within the region to pay $5,000 each to provide the needed funding, with the exception of LaPaz. He said the county will likely pay $10,000-$15,000 toward the project as well.
He said they would be compiling a list of projects for consideration over the summer. Overmyer said, “I think this is a good opportunity for the county.”
The Bourbon Council voted unanimously to pay $5,000 toward the effort.
The new Dollar General grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated for 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
Steve Stacy, wastewater superintendent, told the council members at their regular meeting Tuesday night that the water and sewer lines connecting the building to the town’s services were working well.
Council member P.J. Hanley said there has been increased foot traffic to the area since the opening of the store and he was concerned that the grassy path leading to the store would become a “muddy mess.” After a short discussion, the council voted 3-0 to extend sidewalk on the east side of the street to the store. Roger Terry, street department, was asked to obtain quotes for the sidewalk work.
Prior to the final vote, council member Larry Wattenbarger made some general comments about sidewalk violation enforcement.
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Wattenbarger said, “I’m in favor of sidewalks. But if we are going to put in sidewalks, we need to enforce parking on them.”
He cited several examples of large and small vehicles that he had observed straddling sidewalks or actually parking on them. He said, “Where the motorhome parks, kids walking to school have to go into the street to get by.”
Police Chief Bill Martin asked for clarification on how the council would like violations handled, as to giving warnings or issuing citations. The consensus of the council was to have police officers speak with offenders first, then issue warnings if violations were not corrected, as well as take further action to make sure parking was not violating town policies.
Stacy also asked for direction as to working on drains and lines that are within roadways that are being resurfaced. He said he intends to concentrate on the needed improvements. Hanley concurred, saying, “I think we out too many Band-Aids on it. “
Council President Les McFarland shared his support, indicating that the roads and streets being resurfaced as a result of the town receiving a Community Crossing grant should receive the work to make sure they are in top condition.
Although not an agenda item, Hanley shared his concern that Bourbon needs to be diligent in making sure the town’s needs are factored into the state’s plan to upgrade U.S. 30 between Fort Wayne and Valparaiso. He said he had attended two meetings on the proposed plan and that he wasn’t convinced that Bourbon’s needs were being heard.
He said, “331 cannot be their only exit. Farmers need a way too to get across U.S. 30.”
McFarland and Wattenbarger echoed Hanley’s concerns. Hanley said, “It’s important that we get input on the plan.”
The president of the Marshall County commissioners, Kevin Overmyer, presented a short overview of the Regional Economic Stellar Grant that could bring some $7 million to $8 million dollars into the area for projects. At this point, the Marshall County region is one of the six finalists for the grant award.
Although a $20,000 planning grant will be used to launch the planning locally, it will take more funding for advertising, videos and hiring a consultant to develop a list of projects to present for the final determination. A committee is being formed to oversee the local efforts.
Overmyer said they are asking towns within the region to pay $5,000 each to provide the needed funding, with the exception of LaPaz. He said the county will likely pay $10,000-$15,000 toward the project as well.
He said they would be compiling a list of projects for consideration over the summer. Overmyer said, “I think this is a good opportunity for the county.”
The Bourbon Council voted unanimously to pay $5,000 toward the effort.
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