Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - Claypool Town Council approved the execution of a lease between the town's redevelopment authority and redevelopment commission during a meeting Tuesday, June 16.
A public hearing also was held regarding additional appropriations and bond proceeds for the town's redevelopment authority, with no comments from citizens. Following this, council passed an ordinance and two resolutions, with the ordinance "appropriating the proceeds and bonds of the town of Claypool Redevelopment Authority, including investment, earnings thereon, and related matters." The bonds' proceeds will go toward the acquisition of "certain real property in the town ... and toward the cost of certain local public improvement projects consisting of repairs and replacements to various roads and streets within the boundaries."
In April, council approved the establishment of a redevelopment authority, which coincided with council approving an interlocal agreement with Kosciusko County on sewer project funding. Through the agreement, $250,000 for Dreyfus TIF money would be used for the town's sewer project.
Police Question/Update
During the public comment section of the meeting, resident John Hatton asked council about the possibility of either having a full-time officer for the Claypool Police Department or potentially bringing on a reserve officer to assist with calls when Town Marshal Trevor Long is off duty.
"We only pay (Trevor) for 20 hours a week," said Hatton. "But at the same time, he's also stated that if he's outside those 20 hours, he does not answer his phone, he does not reply to texts, unless he's pretty much on duty."
The council said either a Silver Lake officer or Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office deputy would be called to an active scene if Long was not on call.
Council member Don Miller said the town marshal position was part-time because "we frankly didn't have the funds to have a full-time police officer." Miller also told Hatton he was unsure on the status of the department's reserve officers.
Council member Gene Warner said there had been three reserves he knew of, but he didn't know the status of two of the reserves and that the third recently resigned.
"So, you're down to the marshal, really," said Warner.
Park/CAP Update
Zach Dripps, director of operations and community development with the Michiana Area Council of Governments, provided an update to council on funding for the town's park project. Dripps said an application was submitted to the county's Community Amenities Program (CAP). The total cost estimate for the project is $691,000, with the application requesting $301,000 in funding from CAP. Dripps noted additional grants are being sought through the K21 Health Foundation, Dekko Foundation, Norfolk Southern and the Zimmer Biomet Foundation.
"This should encompass both the construction as well as the final engineering design," said Dripps. "In the end, this includes ... a new playground, new basketball court, sidewalk, walking paths, the pavilion, and parking lot, as well as general grading that's necessary for the project."
Dripps said MACOG's next task is seeking funding through Norfolk Southern as an application for that would be due in August.
"We're not committed to this project until we get all the other financing arranged," said Dripps.
The council also:
• Approved the following State Revolving Fund payments: G&G Hauling & Excavating, $110,921.59; Visu-Sewer, $69,710.17; Crosby Construction, $314,294.36; Commonwealth Engineers, $27,962.41; and Bose McKinney & Evans, $3,500.
• Approved transferring $18,735.28 from the town's water sale monies to the sewer fund due to unexpected expenditures regarding maintenance.
Council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 at the Claypool Lions Club building.
