Bourbon Discusses Construction Of Second-Floor Apartments
Posted
Carol Anders-
BOURBON – Although not an agenda item for the Bourbon Town Council meeting Tuesday, council members Les McFarland, P.J.Hanley and Larry Wattenbarger; Bill Keyser, zoning/ building; as well as several audience members discussed what permits, parking, engineering, etc. are needed to convert space above businesses for apartments.
The topic was introduced by Wattenbarger, saying he heard that a downtown business will be converting upstairs space to three apartments. Much of the discussion centered on parking issues. According to Keyser, the town’s ordinance requires 1-1/2 spaces per unit. Keyser said those making interior improvements do not need a permit from the town. However, Keyser said the ordinances and requirements for permits of Marshall County and Plymouth are different.
Unidentified patrons implied that the Bourbon ordinance was not being followed. They cited the North Street apartments that have no parking attached to the property, other apartment owners that provide parking to fit the ordinance, how structures could be demolished to make parking areas, and signage in the downtown area that limit parking during some hours.
Town attorney Tony Wagner was asked to look over the ordinances and permits needed. Wagner indicated that they should consider the larger ramifications.
In other matters, Hyper Wave Technologies was granted permission by council members to install their equipment on the town’s water tower. Wagner was given a proposed lease agreement from Hyper Wave representatives B. J. Smith and Adam Kruyer. After the meeting, Wagner said he will be reviewing the proposal prior to any installation.
Kruyer said they have equipment in place under a lease in Argos already. If the Bourbon lease moves forward, Hyper Wave will pay $150 per month per unit for a monthly fee of $300 for the two units they are planning.
Hyper Wave intends to provide residential internet, premium residential internet, business internet and voice services to the community for monthly or yearly payments.
The council unanimously approved a number of quotes for maintenance projects. New windows will be installed at the Matchett Center by Plymouth Glass for $600. It was noted at the March council meeting that moisture was forming in between windows that could lead to problems in the future.
At the request of Wastewater Superintendent Steve Stacy, an irrigation rig used to pump treated water onto a field will be repaired at a cost of $6,475. Stacy said he had budgeted $7,000 in his yearly budget for the work.
Repairs needed on Thayer Street will cost $18,209. Funding for the project will come out of the street department and wastewater funds. Stacy said part of the damage to the street resulted from the installation of water pipes. Roger Terry, street department, said Thayer Street was not included in the Community Crossings grant the town received for street repairs.
Terry also will seek quotes for sidewalk repairs in the 800 block of North Main Street.
The council approved a donation of $300 to the Bourbon Library to be used for a Summer Reading Program. Speaking for the library, Nick Treber thanked the council for the donation to be used for reading prizes.
After a lengthy discussion at two points during the meeting, the council voted unanimously to accept a bid of $28,304 for a Ford Explorer to replace a 2013 Dodge Charger for the police department. Consideration was also given to a quote of $28,897 for a 2018 Dodge Charger and a 2018 Ford Taurus for $29,189.
Early in the meeting, Wattenbarger motioned to purchase the Explorer, but the motion died for lack of a second. At a later point during the meeting, discussion resumed and Wattenbarger made the motion again and it was seconded by McFarland. The final vote was 3-0.
Council members expressed the ability to carry more equipment in the Explorer and referred to repairs that have been needed to the existing Charger used by the department.
Two members of the Community Destination Imagination team spoke briefly on the Early Bourbon Cemetery Memorial Project that they have been planning for at least five years.
The team refers to their project as the “Zombie Project.” They said the Zombie Project is a team of high school students in the Bourbon area who have been working to restore and protect tombstones in the local cemetery.
The Early Bourbon Cemetery Memorial Project is intended to be a memorial for a recorded 51 individuals buried in West 12th B Road cemetery. It was founded in 1839 and the last burial was in 1879.
Plans include erecting a memorial stone that will be engraved with the names and death dates of the 51. The students are seeking donations to purchase the stone and installation for a cost of $6,500. They have raised $3,000 so far and are now asking for donations of $70 to sponsor a name on the memorial.
All three council members and some patrons pledged their donations following the student’s presentation. The team members indicated that all donations of any amount would be appreciated. Donations can be given to Bourbon Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger.
McFarland shared an email they had received concerning Police Chief William Martin. McFarland noted that he would not release the name of the author, but wanted the public to hear what was written.
Included in the email was the following: “He (Martin) pulled me over Monday afternoon, March 19, 2018, just west of town on Old U.S. 30 for doing 75 in a 45. He gave me a doozie of a ticket, but I couldn’t even be mad about it because he was so kind and humble. Officer Martin is certainly one of the finest police officers I’ve ever encountered and you should consider yourself very blessed to have him as part of your team.”
McFarland expressed his appreciation to Martin for the way he conducts himself while protecting the community. He went on to acknowledge all of the town’s employees for their work.
