Bicycle Bridge to get a new look
Eyesore no more!
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

All it took for one well-known county bridge to get a fresh paint job was the cooperation of Carroll County's highway and sheriff's departments, plus the blessing of the commissioners. With those components working together and in place, Bicycle Bridge, covered with graffiti for years, will be painted soon.

No date was given for the work, however the highway department will supply the paint and the sheriff's department will supply the manpower, either with inmates or with those needing to do community service hours.

Highway superintendent Ron Francis said he was contacted by sheriff Tony Burns about the project. He told commissioners there was money in the department's bridge painting budget to purchase the necessary 20 gallons of paint.

Commissioner Bill Brown remarked that he asked that the bridge be painted for years. Francis said he would purchase slightly more paint than actually needed to use if more graffiti appears after the paint job is completed.

2007 Road Plan

Phase II of the 2007 road plan was approved by the county leaders. Funding will be provided from Major Moves. Francis presented four proposals to the commissioners at the Aug. 6 meeting. All four presented differing amounts of road miles to be repaired with various levels of cover.

Roads to receive surface treatment include: • CR100S from CR350E to SR29; • CR250S from CR50E to CR300E; • CR400E from CR250S to CR350S; • CR400E from CR600S to CR800S; • CR500E from CR600S to CR700S; • CR550N from CR1130N to Rossetter; • CR600S from SR29 to CR350E; • CR650N from CR75 to CR50E; • CR650N from CR100E to CR225E; • CR750N from CR1250W to the dead end; • CCR800S from SR75 to CR100E; • CR1200N from CR925W to Meridian.

Roads which will be left in gravel are: • CR100N from SR29 to the East County Line; • CR150S from SR29 to East County Line; • CR150W from CR150S to CR300S; • CR200S from SR29 to East County Line; • CR450W from CR100N to CR200N; • CR575S from Radner to CR300S; • CR575W from Prince William Rd. to CR200W; • CR600S from SR75 to CR200E; • CR1000W from CR1050N to CR1100N.

Francis was given approval to amend the traffic ordinance to erect signs to prohibit large trucks from taking CR400E north from SR218. He explained drivers of the large rigs are using the road as a shortcut to the ethanol plant in the area.

"I think we should do whatever we have to do to maintain our roads," Brown said. "We need those heavy trucks going on the state roads."

Francis clarified the request for signage was not intended for local farmers who use the road on a routine basis but only for those traveling to the ethanol plant.

Francis was directed to research the feasibility of requiring a bond from new large animal operations to pay for road damage during site construction. County resident Galen Perry advised Miami County instituted such a requirement.

CR800S northeast of Rossville will be closed to the south county line road Saturday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for an annual 5K Summers End run. Clinton County Highway Department will put up road closed and detour signs for the event.

Highway employee Scott Bulington was granted an extension of medical leave with the condition he provide commissioners with monthly health status reports from his physician. According to Francis, Bulington has been on medical leave since May after suffering a mild stroke one year ago.

EDC

Commissioners amended the approved 2007 Economic Development Income Tax budget to be able to contribute $7,000 to the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation. The funding will be supplemental to $14,000 collected for a Strategic Directions Initiative, already in progress.

EDC Director Daryl Smith told commissioners the county should be developing a plan to capitalize on economic development near the Hoosier Heartland Highway when it is constructed.

"This is directly for economic development," Brown commented about the appropriation.

Parks department

A request by parks board president Bob Burton to accept a truck donation from the highway department was delayed until the Sept. 4 meeting to obtain insurance information. Burton said the truck, removed from the highway department's fleet, would be used by Deer Creek Park employee Rex Gangloff to haul mowing equipment and pull a trailer for larger equipment to French Post Park.

Burton said the parks department would save $1,500 annually on mowing expenses. The need for insurance, fuel, parts and maintenance of the truck as well as upkeep of mowers was mentioned by commissioners as items to consider before making the acquisition.

Other business

The 4-H Community Building was used by the Town of Flora Aug. 16 for a convention and will be used by the Flora Kiwanis Club Sept. 8.

Delphi Art Club was granted permission to use the rotunda and lounge at the 2008 Old Settlers' Celebration.

Delphi United Methodist Church will use the rotunda Oct. 21 pending custodian availability and proof of insurance.

Carroll Manor applications for Edgar E. Fountain and Shirley M. Heathcote were approved.

Payroll claims for $183,141.81 were approved.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 9 a.m.