BURKET – Burket Town Council heard Thursday about what services Kosciusko Area Bus Service could provide to residents.
Kristin Rude, general manager for KABS, said she is going around to different areas in the county and trying to learn the barriers and the needs in each community. In the process, she said she learned not everyone may know what KABS does.
KABS is located in Warsaw, but serves all of Kosciusko County.
Bus rides go from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fares for one-way in-county rides scheduled at least 24 hours in advance are: $1 for a distance between zero and 10 miles, $2 for 11 to 25 miles and $3 for a trip 26 miles or more. People can make same-day rides, but those are available based on availability of bus space and drivers. There is also an additional $5 fee for same-day service.
The only age restriction Rude brought up was those under the age of 8 have to have an adult with them when they ride.
Rude said there are free bus rides for doctor visits for those on Medicaid. For out-of-county doctor visits, the bus will wait for the rider to take them back. For doctor visits in county, the bus will need to be called back.
Rude also encouraged people to schedule rides as soon as the person knows they will need services from KABS.
People can call 574-267-4990 or 866-953-4490 to schedule rides.
Also during the meeting, the council heard complaints about people burning in their yard.
Council President Bill Rayburn said people can only burn tree limbs and leaves in a burn circle. People are not allowed to burn things like treated or painted wood, according to the town’s burn ordinance.
One of the complaints was of a resident who was supposedly burning items for several days. Rayburn said he saw that resident burn items on one day and he did go over and talk to that resident.
Rayburn also said if someone is burning something and it is bothering a neighbor, that person can call the fire department to have them go out and possibly have the fire put out, if appropriate.
Rayburn said the town is trying to stop as much of the burning as possible that is outside of its burn ordinance.
In other business, the council:
• Heard complaints of trash in yards. Rayburn said a couple property owners have been talked to and fined. Councilwoman Lena Ball said letters have been sent out as well. Rayburn said if someone complaints, the council will do the best they can to resolve the issue.
If someone wants to make a complaint, they can write the town a letter to P.O. Box 188, Burket, IN 46508 and the letter will be read at the next council meeting.
• Heard Rayburn will look at a property that was supposedly in disrepair.
• Approved making a $250 donation to the Burket Fire Department for the department to use for a visit from Santa and for toys to donate to Toys for Tots.
• Heard the railroad crossing on Walnut Street still has not been fixed.
• Heard updating the town’s road inventory to include Burket Road is pending. It needs to be updated and approved in order to apply for more Community Crossing grants next year.