New boiler approved for courthouse
By Debbie Lowe

State Fair Reserve Grand Champion Sarah Brown of Camden has won top honors with her threeyear old gelding. She received champion and reserve grand champion honors at the Indiana State Fair and was Top Ten at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. She is a member of the Carroll County Young Wranglers 4-H Horse & Pony Club. Photo provided

It is prudent to have back-up equipment available in case dailyused equipment breaks down. However, when a back-up unit fails, something has to be done.

The courthouse uses one boiler for heat and one is kept for reserve, in case the one used for heat breaks. During the Monday morning meeting, Carroll County Commissioners learned the 20-year-old reserve boiler recently sprung a leak and cannot be repaired.

The newer boiler, used to heat the courthouse, is seven years old, according to custodian Sheryl Shockley. She recommended purchasing a new boiler for daily use and making the current unit the back-up.

Shockley reported the cost of replacement would be approximately $22,500, however only one quote was received for the work.

A new boiler was approved by commissioners. Shockley was directed to solicit two additional quotes before presenting the issue to the county council for funding.

State Fair champion Maizie Wickersham of Cutler showed the State Fair Champion for the 6 to 10 year-old mares. She is a member of the Carroll County Young Wranglers 4-H Horse & Pony Club. Photo provided

Highway department

County highway supervisor Ramzi Awwad distributed the final draft of the SR75 extension study. He said the draft is complete with a detailed analysis and maps along with a description of alternate routes. No route recommendation was included in the study.

Awwad said the county can apply for an 80/20 grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation only after that agency makes a call for projects. He anticipates that call to be declared within a year.

Awwad explained that the next step in the process is to review the document and receive comments and input from the public. The document can be viewed at the county highway garage in Flora or at the county auditor's office in the courthouse.

State Fair reserve honors Don Craft, left, and family of Flora exhibited the Suffolk Reserve Champion Junior Ewe Lamb and the Reserve Champion Junior Ram Lamb at the Indiana State Fair. They also exhibited the first place slick-sheared yearling ewe. Grandson Carlton Summe is the animal shower. Photo provided

He said an electronic version of the document will be widely distributed as soon as possible. He encouraged residents to call his office at (574) 967-4244 to receive a copy of the study. Awwad announced plans to open

Carrollton Bridge in mid-December. He said no additional closings will be needed when completion work is finished next spring.

Other business

Commissioners' president Bill Brown asked county attorney Barry Emerson to provide legal opinions about which governmental body, commissioners or council, would be responsible to make decisions about building a new jail, and which would be responsible for a land sale of a portion of the land around Carroll Manor.

In both instances, Emerson reported his findings indicated the commissioners are the responsible party for those decisions.

Emerson said commissioners set the procedure and define an area of land to sell. He clarified that if the appraised value of county land exceeds $50,000, the council would decide if the sale should proceed.

Emerson said two appraisals and one survey must be completed before any county land sale is finalized.

The Delphi Business Women will use the rotunda and lounge Nov. 27 and Dec. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The courthouse will be used next fall for a wedding ceremony.

Delphi Lions Club will have signs on the courthouse grounds Nov. 8 to Dec. 3 and Nov. 16 to Dec. 3 advertising the Christmas Parade and a pancake breakfast.

Wabash & Erie Canal Association will have a sign on the courthouse grounds from Dec. 1-11 to advertise a Christmas event.

German Baptists will use the 4-H Community Building Nov. 15 for a Christmas supper.

Carroll Manor applications for Rose Mary Hill, Georganna Leslie and Fanny Simmons were approved.

An unused cabinet was donated to the Wabash & Erie Canal Association to be used in the Interpretive Center.

Payroll claims for $176,985.64 and $174,388.92 were approved.

Highway claims for $188,345.22 and county operating claims for $252,371.43 were approved.

The next meeting will be Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. Drainage Board

County surveyor Wayne Chapman reported he has received no drainage plans from the proposed mega-dairy in Democrat Township. Chapman said he requested plans from developers.

"We don't require a drainage permit," he said indicating there was nothing he could do if there was no compliance with the request.

Board president and county commissioner Loren Hylton reported he and fellow board members, county

commissioners George Mears and Bill Brown, presented a budget appeal to the county council last Friday. He said it was unanimously denied.

Chapman said a local farmer dug an open ditch near the Condon drain that may present a problem. He said if the drain becomes clogged the farmer will be held responsible.

The next meeting will be Dec. 4 at 8:30 a.m.