Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - The Claypool Town Council approved placing a reserve officer on a six-month probationary period and establishing a redevelopment authority during their meeting Tuesday.
During a March meeting, council placed David Lawson on leave after he totaled a police vehicle he was operating on Feb. 27. Council and Town Marshal Trevor Long said Lawson was possibly speeding and outside of Claypool's jurisdiction when his vehicle hit a deer. At that time, council agreed to make a final decision on keeping Lawson as a reserve officer in April.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Council member Gene Warner said even though Lawson had only been a reserve officer for Claypool for about a year, he's worked as a reserve for 17 years at various agencies.
"He's got a black mark at (the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy) now," said Warner. "No matter what we do here, he still could have something happen with the state if they decide to. I know here, he's worked about 200 hours a month, and he's only required to have 16 hours. He's done a lot of good, and I know it's wrong what happened. He's been reprimanded for it, but I'm voting to keep him on for now on a probationary period. Stuff happens, and he's been a good officer. He's put in a lot of hours and doesn't get paid for any of it, like a volunteer fireman."
Council President Ben Stage Jr. said he agreed with some of Warner's statements but was unhappy with Lawson leaving Claypool's jurisdiction.
"We passed an ordinance that had the restraints of where you're supposed to be," said Stage. "That was broken. He was speeding ... you can tell by the destruction to the car. If he had been doing the speed limit, chances are we wouldn't have a totaled car. So, my outlook is ... Mr. Lawson should no longer be a reserve officer for the town of Claypool."
Council member Don Miller said Lawson didn't say much to the council about the incident and that he wishes there would have been "more of an expression" from Lawson about what happened.
In a 2-1 vote, with Stage voting in opposition, council approved keeping Lawson as a reserve officer and placing him on a six-month probationary period.
Redevelopment Authority
Council passed an ordinance establishing a redevelopment authority.
This coincided with the 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 of Claypool's sewer project. Stage said the project was reviewed by the Kosciusko Redevelopment Commission and "determined to be beneficial to the Dreyfus TIF allocation area and an appropriate use of county TIF money collected on the Dreyfus TIF."
Council thanked the county and Louis Dreyfus for their interest and involvement in the project.
Thomas Everett, an attorney with Barnes & Thornburg, South Bend, attended the meeting to discuss the ordinance on establishing a redevelopment authority.
"The town currently has a redevelopment commission, but Indiana law also allows the town to create a redevelopment authority, which would facilitate the financing the town would undertake for the needs of the town," said Everett. "Due to the size of the potential financing, it would need to be structured as lease financing. The redevelopment authority would be the one who issues bonds, would enter a lease with the town's redevelopment commission, and under Indiana law, the lease would not be considered as debt."
Everett said the redevelopment authority's members could not be town employees or elected town officials, with members being appointed by Stage. Niki Miller, Jerry Creekmore and Rhonda Banghart will serve as the redevelopment authority's members.
Possible KABS Route For Claypool, Silver Lake
Kristin Rude, Kosciusko Area Bus Service general manager, attended the council meeting to let residents know a pilot route is being considered for the Claypool and Silver Lake area. Rude said KABS' goal is to incorporate both towns and receive feedback on a day or two per week that works best for residents. The cost is per mile, with most trips being in the $3 to $4 range, according to Rude.
Rude said she's been discussing the route with Stage, Silver Lake Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley and Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe.
"Right now, it's conceptual," said Rude. "We're really talking about what's going to work, what are the needs in the small communities, what days, what times, aligning also with our capacity, what we can handle and commit to."
A community transportation survey is available for residents on the town's website and asks questions such as how often citizens would use KABS and their preferences on what days of the week work best and what locations they would like to travel to.
Warner said with a potential route, he'd want to see a centralized location for riders and noted they would also need a place to go if there's rainy or inclement weather.
Community Crossings Update
Council also heard an update from Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers, on the Community Crossings Matching Grant program. Harrison said budgetary numbers for fiscal year 2027 for the proposed Calhoun Street and Graceland Avenue projects are still in the works, with estimates being prepared by Commonwealth's staff.
Two residents who live on Walnut and Section streets also expressed concerns about drainage issues they've been experiencing due to rainy weather combined with ongoing construction work. Harrison said he would bring those concerns forward to the construction crew.
Council also:
• Approved State Revolving Fund payments as follows: $41,935, Visu-Sewer; $218,766, Crosby Construction; and $373,368.46 and $202,813.27, G&G Hauling and Excavating.
• Approved the final draft for the town's park concept, which features a basketball court, track and pickleball area.
• Reminded residents to mow their properties and not to blow grass into the streets, as it affects the town's drains and could also be a hazard to motorists. Any yard clippings for pickup must be placed in paper bags.
• Heard from Long about him issuing "many warnings" about trash containers being moved away from the roadways. With the warnings, Long said the bulk of the violators have taken positive action and are continually moving their bins.
• Approved hiring Gregory Helton as a part-time laborer to assist Town Superintendent Danny Warner as needed.
Council's next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 at the Claypool Lions Club building.
