3 firms submit proposals for new Flora fire station
Susan Scholl Editor

The Flora Town Council took under advisement three architect proposals for a new fire station at Monday night'smeeting.

They include: SchwarzAssociates for five percent of the construction cost; SiennaArchitecture for $4,500 plus reimbursable expenses; andMattox &Associates for $2,500 for floor plan, front elevation and cost estimate.

Council president Josh Ayres indicated that there may be a fourth proposal submitted for consideration.

The council approved the conveyance of five acres leased to the Carroll County YMCA for 99 years in exchange for a promissory note and mortgage covering the town's cost for the real estate. The note and promissory notewill only come due if theYMCAconveys the real estate to an entity other than a not-for-profit.

In the terms of the original agreement between the town and YMCA, theYcould notmortgage the property.

Town officials are not completely satisfiedwith the sidewalk work done byMilestoneContractors. Town attorney Dick T. Bishop suggested that the clerktreasurer contact the company and request a representative come and go through the town's list of complaints so the two entities can come to some sort of agreement.

HerbMcKnight who resides at 309 Washington Blvd. complained about dog owners not picking up after their animals. McKnight said he and other neighbors mow the median and picking up after the dogs is an aggravation.

The town has an ordinance that includes fines for not picking up after dogs, said councilmanRoger Daugherty. Complaints must be filed with the police department.

"Butwe hate to have our police department on dog crap patrol," saidAyres.

Council members concluded that the bestway to solve the problemwill be to file complaintswith the police department.

"Contact the town marshal and we'll work with you," added Ayres.

Margaret Schenck and Georgeanna Krauss complained about groundwater being pumped out the First Brethren Church on North Washington Street that is not going into the stormsewer, Instead, thewater stands in the street gutters causing a mosquito problem.

Officials said that this is not the first time the problem has come up; it was fixed five or six years ago. Ayres told the women that at this time there is nomoney to correct the storm sewers. However, the townwill seewhat it can do to help alleviate the problem,

Townmarshal PaulRedmon reminded residents that there has been a rash of residential burglaries, mainly in the southern part of the county.

"Don't make your house appealing to someone who wants to take your possessions," he said. "Lock your doors and windows."

Redmon also reported complaints received by bus drivers that people are not stopping when buses are loading and unloading students.

The police department report forAugust included: 8 arrests/misdemeanors, 9 felonies, 17 citations, 2 parking tickets, 39 warnings, 2 felony investigations, 130 calls for service, 3 accidents, and one warrant.

Mike Cottrell reported that the fire department participated inKiwanis Club's Touch of Fleet Day and responded to a hog barn fire and trailer fire during the past month.

The Energy Cost Adjustment for the town by the Indiana Municipal PowerAgency is expected to go down for the last quarter of the year. It had increased the last two quarters.

The town's plan commission issued permits to:Holly'sHairHut, new sign; Briggs Plumbing, letter press shop, remodeling and renovation; and Jeff Richardson, sidewalk.

The final hearing for the 2008 budget was held and it was accepted as presented.

Trick-or-TreatNightwas set for Oct. 31 from6 to 8 p.m.The Flora Lions Club's annual Halloween costume judgingwith chili supper will be Oct. 30.

Council members and clerktreasurer Joretta Tinsman will attend the Indiana Association of Towns&Cities Roundtable Sept. 17 at Rossville.

Permission was given Chuck Everett to attend the IndianaMunicipal ElectricalAssociation Fall ConferenceOct. 2-4 in Indianapolis and BillMcCarty to attend the IndianaWater EnvironmentalAssociation Conference Nov. 13-15 in Indianapolis.

The next council meeting will be Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at the fireside building.