Flora School may avert wrecking ball
Grant submitted for 35-unit apartment complex
By Susan Scholl

Flora Town Council President Josh Ayres reported at Monday night's town council meeting that Area IV Development is interested in purchasing the old Flora School property and converting it into housing.

"It's an exciting announcement," said Ayres.

The plan is to convert the building into 16 two-bedroom apartments and 19 single bedroom apartments.

Area IV has already brought in an architect and an engineer to examine the building and both have indicated that they believe the project is doable, said clerktreasurer Joretta Tinsman.

She said the project is expected to cost $4 million and the town's share of the expense will be two percent or $80,000.

"That ($80,000) is less than the cost of tearing down the building," added Ayres. Town officials had been considering that option in recent months.

"The grant application is due March 31 and we should know by June 7 whether or not the grant has been approved," said Tinsman.

The closing for the Abdon lot that the town purchased at auction was not held as expected on Dec. 22 due to problems with the deed. A new closing date has not yet been set.

The town has already received one appraisal for the property on West Columbia St., owned by Doug Abdon, which is adjacent to the lot the town recently purchased. Tinsman was instructed to obtain a second appraisal and the offering price will be the median between the two appraisals.

Russ Slifer, interim director of the Carroll County Family YMCA, thanked the town for keeping the property mowed and asked if the town would also consider weeding the property. Town officials agreed to add that to the duties of park employees.

Slifer said the Y is also looking for a volunteer to care for the flower bed there.

The plan commission granted the following permits in December: Eric Miller, garage; Ron Hughes, alteration; Bradley Eurit, new residence; Kendall Fisher, wrecking of rental property at 204 S. Willow St.; Alan Brower, porch and deck; Tri-Star Living, new construction (group home).

The Flora Police Department's report for December included: 15 arrests/misdemeanors, 7 felonies, 12 citations, 28 warnings, 1 field investigation, 71 calls for service, 6 accidents, and 4 warrants.

Tinsman said that the town's violations bureau is now operating. The bureau will handle only local ordinance violations. Citation fines are $10 if paid within the first 48 hours and $25 from day three to seven. After that, they are turned over to the county prosecutor.

Wolfe Construction was awarded the contract for $8,000 to put a new roof on the hanger at the airport.

Election of officers was held. Ayres was re-elected president, while Dave Albaugh was elected vice president and Roger Daugherty, finance chairman. Daugherty and Albaugh switched positions as Daugherty said that he does not plan to run for reelection.

The town office will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Tinsman, Daugherty and Utilities Superintendent Chuck Everett will attend a legislative reception Feb. 7 in Indianapolis.

The next regular meeting will be Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.