Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - Claypool Town Council approved several State Revolving Fund payments and discussed the possibility of doing away with districts in town limits for election purposes during a Tuesday, Oct. 20 meeting.
Claypool has been making payments toward its wastewater and stormwater improvement project, which will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and open house from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at the wastewater treatment plant. Payments made during the meeting were: a final $3,453 payment to Visu-Sewer; a final $55,281 payment to G&G Hauling & Excavating; and $19,324 to Commonwealth Engineers. A change order for G&G's contract with the town on the project was also approved, with the change decreasing the amount to $1,036,381.41.
Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan asked the council to consider at-large seats for the council and do away with the district system, noting Claypool was the only small-town entity who had this in place. He noted the current system, which splits the town into north, center and south districts, makes it difficult when it comes to filling vacancies. In February 2024, Councilman Don Miller was appointed to his seat by Ragan after an individual who was newly elected to serve on the council submitted their resignation. Councilman Gene Warner was appointed to the council in April 2019 following the death of a former councilman. Warner was re-elected to the seat in 2023.
Miller said he thought changing the system was "well-merited" and "a no-brainer" but also asked about the possibility of changing it to two districts and one at-large member. Warner said he liked the system as is but also wasn't opposed to changing it. Council said they would consider a potential change.
In other business, Suzie Light, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation leadership partner, attended the meeting to give the council a replica of the 2025 Community of the Year award. Kosciusko County was named Community of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
"This replica is more than a symbol, it's a reminder," said Light. "A reminder that you are a part of something exceptional, a reminder that your community helped earn this award, a reminder that work continues, because awards are not the finish line. They're a call to go even further."
Reserve officer Rory Kerwin also attended the meeting to request council push forward with getting a new town marshal following the resignation of Trevor Long. Council President Benny Stage said he appreciated Kerwin's comments and work for the town, asking for time to review financials and see if hiring a marshal is possible. Stage reminded any residents with police business to refer those questions to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office.
Council also:
• Reminded residents that door-to-door trick-or-treat will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
• Held a second reading for and adopted the town's budget, which totals $397,983.
• Announced that tree trimming in town had happened.
• Approved sending a written statement to county officials for Akashia Garber to receive a variance for building a garage at 400 S. Railroad St. Jerry Creekmore, Garber's neighbor, attended the meeting and presented Garber's request to council.
The council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the Claypool Lions Club building.
