LEESBURG - During Monday’s Leesburg Town Council meeting, the board approved the purchase of an automated traffic control device that would monitor and display the speed of vehicle traffic.
The device will be portable and will come with two different sets of mounting hardware so that it can be moved between locations. The cost for one device is $3,331. The device is solar powered and Bluetooth enabled, which will allow the data collected to be shared with law enforcement. Depending on the usage and success of the device, a second unit may be purchased in the future.
During the street commissioner’s report, Superintendent Craig Charlton informed the council that the department had used some of its supply of sewage pumps. It currently has five new standard and two school pumps on hand. The council approved the purchase of 10 new replacement pumps by Clerk-treasurer Mike Searfoss to bolster the town’s backup inventory.
Charlton also reminded the public that residents are to place yard waste in the town-provided trash totes. Large, storm-damaged tree limbs are chipped on Fridays. Sidewalks and trees are the property and responsibility of the residents. Additionally, residents are required to keep sidewalks clear of snow, ice and low hanging tree limbs to provide safe passage per town ordinance. For a complete list of town ordinances, residents are encouraged to visions the town’s website, leesburgindiana.com/information.
In other business:
• Town attorney Nick Jacobs informed the council that he is continuing to work on refuse ordinance violations fines. A formal resolution for the council’s approval could be presented at the next meeting.
• Council President Mitch Rader informed the council the town has applied for the latest Community Crossings Matching Grant. The total amount requested is $102,000, which includes the town’s portion of $25,500, or 25% of the cost. If approved, the money would be used to microseal approximately 50% of the town’s streets to help protect them from erosion and wear. The other 50% would be considered in a future Community Crossings Matching Grant request that the town can apply for this summer.
• The council approved a report to be sent to the State Board of Accounts regarding needed policies for the town.
• Amy Roe, community coordinator for Kosciusko County, addressed the council on the county’s H.E.L.P. (Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program). It was Roe’s first time addressing the council. She introduced the program, which aims to assist rural communities within the county with projects beneficial to meeting their specific needs.
• Residents were reminded that of several town ordinances, including no parking on any street between 3 to 5 a.m. daily; no burning in town limits; remove snow from sidewalks; and being mindful of what is flushed into the sewer system.
The next meeting of the Leesburg Town Council will be at 6:30 p.m. March 11. The public is invited to attend.