BOURBON – The Bourbon Town Council’s future meetings will be at 6 p.m. instead of the 7 p.m. time that has been in place for several years.
Council President Ward Byers made the motion to change the meeting times, saying it will make meetings end sooner in the evenings. The Council voted unanimously in favor.
A patron’s request to allow the closure of the town’s streets from Center Street to the nearby alley on Fridays beginning May 15 for the Farmer’s Market was approved.
It was noted that barriers will be provided as well as some vehicles to help keep traffic from going through the barriers. The Council went further to support the efforts of the Farmer’s Market by allowing an up-front purchase of benches for seating. The up-front cost will be reimbursed by the county. The Council then agreed to match the $800 for the purchase of additional benches.
According to those speaking for the Farmer’s Market, food trucks will likely be added to attract more people to the event that runs through Sept. 15.
The Council approved seeking bids for summer mowing for the town’s parks, baseball diamonds and the Matchette Center. Bourbon Town Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger said there are some changes to the scope of the mowing needs and it would be best to seek bids.
Bids will be accepted until March 9 and will potentially be awarded on March 9 at the Council meeting.
Police Chief Bill Martin said the new vehicle that has been ordered for the department should be delivered by the end of the month.
Martin requested that Mitch Scott be approved as an officer to replace retiring Duane Culp. The request was approved 3-0.
Martin also asked for two reserve officers to be brought on the payroll as part-time employees. That request was tabled so that information concerning the requirements for training could be established. Martin indicated that the officers have averaged some 100 hours each month to help the town.
Those who find their vehicles impounded by the Bourbon Police will now likely incur a processing fee of $20 in the near future. A resolution outlining the fees was passed on first reading to allow for required advertising to the public. The fee would need to be paid to the clerk-treasurer’s office so that current insurance and driver’s licenses and plates can be verified. Vehicles are not released on the weekends and must be picked up on week-days only.
Town attorney Alex Hoover informed the council that the attorney for Karen Holmes is asking for an extension to the 30 days that was granted in January. Holmes owns several properties within the town limits that are in extreme disrepair and have had utilities disconnected.
The request was denied and the council advised Hoover to proceed with the legal process in order to resolve the unsafe issues.
