Major Moves means 'Minor Moves' for county
Phase II of the 2006 road plan approved
By Debbie Lowe

Hoping to delay asphalt cost increases later on this year or early next year, Carroll County Highway Supervisor Ramzi Awwad got the go-ahead from commissioners to immediately begin implementation of phase II of the 2006 road plan. Funds for the project are expected to come from theMajorMoves initiative.

Awwad said the first distribution of Major Moves money is not expected to be received before mid-October, but by using delayed billing offered by vendors, material can be purchased now. The county can then begin working on roads. Awwad dubbed the project "Minor Moves."

Awwad said the county should receive approximately $450,000 a year for two years from Major Moves. His proposal at the Monday morning meeting was to spend approximately $461,000 for 11 miles of road. Hot mix asphalt will go on two and a half miles for $142,000, eight and a half miles will get cold mix asphalt for $295,000 and two miles will be sealed for $24,000.

"I want to see them out there working on these roads," commissioners' president Bill Brown exclaimed as Awwad was given permission to proceed.

Those wishing to see a description of planned work can visit Delphi's Comet office or the county highway garage in Flora.

Uniform Traffic Ordinance

Awwad presented a working draft of the proposed county traffic ordinance for review. In general, the ordinance dictates gravel road speed limits at 45 mph, hard-surface roads 50 mph and residential areas 25 mph. When not marked, speed limits will be 55 mph. The ordinance includes bridge weight restrictions.

"We've kicked this around for quite a while," Brown said.

Awwad offered to e-mail copies of the document to any resident requesting one by calling the county highway garage at (574) 967-4244, or a hard copy can be picked up at the garage in Flora.

The ordinance will be on the agenda for the next meeting for possible adoption.

Burlington EMS

Given the options of no ambulance service in Burlington, building a new Emergency Medical Services facility somewhere between Flora and Burlington or providing paid staff for the established service in Burlington and paying $1/month for the use of the building, commissioners endorsed the last option as recommended by county EMS director Mike Durr.

Speaking in favor of Durr's recommended option, Burlington's assistant fire chief Derek Jackson noted there are fewer businesses in Burlington, which means more residents are working farther away from home. He said it takes more time for volunteers to make a living, which negatively impacts their ability to both volunteer and have family time.

Durr said the goal was to provide ambulance coverage in Burlington when he presented the options. Staffing issues were identified as the problem to overcome.

Durr estimated the cost will be an additional $129,000 to assume the responsibility of the service in Burlington. He said that estimate did not include revenue from emergency runs and benefits for more employees. He said an increase for the service should be considered in the near future to offset additional costs.

Other business

Commissioners endorsed a grant proposal from the Carroll County Safety Partnership for Operation Pull-Over. The newly formed partnership consists of the Delphi and Flora Police Departments with the sheriff's department. Commissioners also gave approval for seatbelt safety zones and sobriety checkpoints to be conducted.

An interlocal agreement wi th Yeoman was tabled until further information about the community center grant proposal is received.

"There needs to be clarification about the obligations the commissioners would be agreeing to," stated county attorney Barry Emerson.

Delphi Chamber of Commerce President Krista Watson was asked to instruct street vendors wishing to use the sidewalks around the courthouse to inform the commissioners of their intent in written form. This should be done after they have obtained a vendor's permit and permission from the county health department to operate.

Watson was given permission to use the gazebo, restrooms and courthouse grounds during the Old Settlers celebration this week.

County attorney Barry Emerson was authorized to begin right-of-way procedures for the Wilson Bridge project.

A small, 1/100th of an acre, parcel of land on Horseshoe Bend will be deeded to the county after it failed to sell at sheriff 's auction on several occasions.

A re-zoning in Clay Township for one acre of land for a 2,000 square-foot building to house a retail establishment was approved.

No motion was made to reimburse a city resident for lawn work he performed on county-owned property adjacent to his house for the last four years. No motion was made to sell the land as requested by the resident. The man presented the commissioners with a bill of $1,243 for his unsolicited services at their last meeting. The matter was then tabled.

Brown told the resident county EMS personnel have agreed to maintain the property because it is next to their Delphi facility.

Payroll claims for $171,296.92, highway claims for $343,248.07 and county operating claims for $272,595.98 were approved.

The next meeting will be Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.

Drainage Board

County surveyor Wayne Chapman reported drains in Jefferson, Democrat and Madison townships were maintained during July. Work continues on Carrollton Township's Smiley Drain.

Chapman said he met with Meagan Carr of North Point Engineering Company about the proposed dairy operation in Democrat Township. He said the drains in the entire area of the proposed site are under county maintenance.

Chapman said he directed the engineering firm to develop a watershed plan and present it to the drainage board. He recommended two retention ponds be built for the facility.

"They're going to have to excavate a lot of land and put in a lot of tile," he concluded.

Chapman said due to setback limitations around field tile, the facility may have to amend initial plans as presented to him, purchase additional land or ask for a setback variance from the commissioners.

The next drainage board meeting will be Sept. 5 at 8:30 a.m.