Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL — Claypool Town Council held the second reading for two ordinances at their meeting Tuesday.
These were updated since the council meeting on Nov. 18.
One ordinance focuses on regulating storage and placement of garbage and refuse cans. With this ordinance, residents may only use the garbage and refuse containers provided by their assigned garbage collection entity. Additionally, garbage containers may not be placed near the street for pickup prior to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the scheduled collection date. The containers then must be moved away from the street by noon the day following trash pickup.
The timing was changed to a longer window for residents to move trash cans away from the road to allow grace to residents with irregular working hours.
This ordinance will be enforced by the town marshal. If the property owner does not comply with the above expectations outlined by the ordinance, they will be issued a written warning of noncompliance. After the written notice, the property owner will be fined $50 every week until the noncompliance is amended.
The second ordinance addresses street address numbers. This ordinance requires residents have clearly visible numerals for the property that are affixed to the structure on the side facing the public street indicated in the address of the property. Additionally, the building numbers must be no less than three inches in height and in a contrasting color to the background surface.
This ordinance will be enforced by the town marshal. If property owners do not comply with this ordinance, they will receive a written notice of noncompliance from the town marshal and have 14 days to bring the property into compliance. If not compliant after 14 days, a $50 fine will be charged every week until the property is compliant.
These two ordinances will take effect 30 days after approval.
Grant Updates
Allie Daugherty, business development manager with HWC Engineering, told council the grant agreement they have with the Kosciusko County Community Foundation requires they hold a party for the town, where they present information about the project and answer questions from the community. It was decided that they would hold the party at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Lions Club.
Chris Harrison, Commonwealth Engineers, presented information on the ongoing work being done on the wastewater project. G&G Excavating is scheduled to start work Jan. 5. He warned that there will be some traffic control and digging along the roads.
For the road project, the plan is currently to use the funding from the Community Crossing Matching Grant to repave Walnut Street and widen it at Graceland Avenue. Harrison said that Commonwealth does not foresee any issues with storm sewers as they repave the roads.
Council President Ben Stage shared the Michiana Area Council of Governments recently rated the streets in Claypool using their grading system of zero to 10. Nearly every road in Claypool scored a one or a two. The council all agreed repaving the roads in town is necessary.
Other Business
Diane Irwin proposed a community book/game/puzzle cabinet. She volunteered to provide monitoring and upkeep and register it on LittleFreeLibrary.org. Before coming to the meeting, Irwin gauged interest about the project on the People of Claypool Facebook page and found people were interested. Irwin initially proposed placing it near the Lions Club, but after discussion, it was decided that it would be better to place it near the food pantry.
Daugherty gave copies of the tentative strategic plan for the park project and copies of the tentative contract with HWC Engineering to the council. The contract is still being reviewed by town attorney Rama Sobhani. The council agreed to sign the contract to maintain the project’s timeline, with the stipulation that the signatures would not be valid until after Sobhani’s review and pending the receipt of a Dekko grant, which would be required to do everything outlined in the contract.
The council approved resolution 2025-12-2, which will give the clerk the power to transfer money between accounts as needed to resolve financials for the end of year.
A pump at the water treatment plant went down Nov. 18, due to a power surge. Danny Warner, street and sewer superintendent, is still waiting on a response from their insurance company, which is due today before he can proceed.
The council was introduced to new reserve officer Rory Kerwin. He will be attending the reserve academy from January through May.
