Dairy farmers surprise commissioners at meeting
IDEM to host public dairy farm meeting
By Debbie Lowe

Although the topic was not on the agenda for the Monday night Carroll County Commissioners' meeting, a group of concerned citizens appeared to address the county leaders about the proposed dairy farm for Democrat Township.

They came with questions and suggestions. They wanted explanations about facility maintenance, the group promoting the project and the people who would be operating the facility.

What some in the audience didn't know was the family who would be operating the proposed dairy farm was standing in the back of the room. The appearance came as a surprise to county commissioner George Mears who announced earlier that the family who would operate the facility "is over in Germany right now."

Gerrit Arendsen, his wife and two of their four children, made a surprise visit to the meeting and met those with questions face-to-face.

Some in the audience wasted no time in asking the family questions about their expertise in operating a large concentrated animal feeding operation and when they planned to move to the area.

Brian Daggy, project consultant who was accompanying the family, announced the Indiana Department of Environmental

Management would hold a public meeting Nov. 29 about the proposed 3,500- head dairy. He said the meeting is expected to last two hours. Residents are invited to submit questions in advance.

The venue is yet to be announced. No additional information was given. Efforts to reach Daggy by telephone were unsuccessful.

The Comet will provide an in-depth interview with the Arendsen family in next week's issue.

Lancaster Bridge

A change order for $61,584.92 due to cost overruns was approved for the Lancaster Bridge project. The county's share of the cost is

approximately $15,000 or 20 percent of the total amount. Commissioners' president Bill Brown suggested the funds be taken from the covered bridge fund.

Although the commissioners approved the change order, it will be up to the county council to pay the bill and decide from which line item in the budget the money would be appropriated.

Xenia Bridge

Highway supervisor Ramzi Awwad recommended a delay until spring in painting the Xenia Bridge. He explained the weather has been unsuitable for painting. He said there may not be enough good days in a row left this fall to allow contractors to do a quality job.

"My preference would be to get the bridge painted this fall and get it over with," Awwad said when he was asked about his wishes for the project.

However, Awwad expressed concern the paint would not have optimal conditions to allow it to adhere to the bridge surface for a suitable length of time.

SR75 extension

Awwad announced the SR75 extension feasibility study report, including conclusions of an economic development study, would be distributed at the next commissioners' meeting.

Other business

A bid from USA Environment Services for $4,575.50 was accepted for finish work on the underground storage tanks at the jail.

County auditor Beth Myers said wells must be monitored an additional two quarters and paperwork must be filed with IDEM for completion of the project.

"We're hoping that someday this (clean-up project) will come to an end," commissioners' president Bill Brown said.

Myers said there would be an additional cost, of approximately $2,000, for the final action of closing the wells.

A grant proposal for $44,516.11 for courthouse security equipment was tabled for further review. Questions about associated costs were raised by commissioners and others in the audience.

County council member Steve Ashby asked about the cost of installation and council member Jerry Hendress asked if there was a maintenance agreement to be met as an additional cost.

"I guess I have too many questions about this," Brown said. He suggested commissioners hold a special meeting to hear answers to questions before approval.

Submitted by Emergency Management Agency Director Justin Darling in absentia, the proposal is due by the end of October.

The county will auction surplus county equipment and items Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Yeoman Auction House. Carroll County was awarded the Indiana Public Employers' Plan safety award for 2005. The award rewards prevention of accidents among employees and emphasizes cost savings to governmental agencies by keeping workers on the job.

The 4-H Community Building will be used by German Baptists Oct. 20, First Step Preschool Oct. 25 and Flora Lions Club Oct. 30.

Signs on the courthouse lawn will be posted by Carroll County Advocates for Literacy Oct. 18 to 27 and Delphi Tri-Township Volunteer Fire Department Oct. 28 to Nov. 4.

The courthouse rotunda will be used by Delphi Chamber of Commerce Nov. 27 to Dec. 31 and Delphi Tri Kappa Dec. 2.

Payroll claims for $171,935.99 were approved.

The next meeting will be Nov.6 at 9 a.m.