Log jam on Wildcat Creek at Burlington A logjam on Wildcat Creek has caused problems for the town of Burlington for weeks. It would be a risky proposition for any local entity to attempt to dislodge two large sycamore trees and accumulated debris in order to clear the waterway. However, the Indiana Department of Transportation has the right tools for the job. And it is willing to help when a formal request is made.

Carroll County Emergency Management Agency Director Dave McDowell said he worked with State Senator Brandt Hershman to formulate a plan to rid the area of the jam. The agreement calls for INDOT to clear the trees and brush from the water to the banks. The county highway department would be responsible to remove the debris from the creek banks.

McDowell said the jam is approximately 100 yards wide and 50 yards long and adjacent to the town's wastewater treatment plan. He said a significant flood would cause sewage problems in the area.

Commissioners voted to send a formal request for INDOT assistance to eliminate the log jam this summer.

Veteran's administrator

Outgoing Carroll County Veterans Service Officer Bob Morrow was presented a plaque and a county resolution was adopted for his 59 years of service to the county and its veterans.

The resolution was read aloud by commissioners' president Loren Hylton citing Morrow's many years of service and his provision of "utmost dignity" to his clients. Hylton said a brick in Morrow's honor would be purchased and placed in the memorial walk located at the courthouse.

After the brief ceremony, Morrow gave the key to his office to auditor Beth Myers

Commissioners will immediately advertise the position by posting the job in the courthouse. A published advertisement will appear in the June 11 issue of the Comet.

Highway department

Highway superintendent Ron Francis reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decided to reimburse the county

for 75 percent of the labor costs associated with recent flood debris removal. He said the estimated labor cost was $40,000.

Additionally, the county was encouraged by FEMA to make two additional removal efforts. He said the debris was to be personal and not contractor rubbish and must be placed in the county rightof way along roadsides.

Francis informed commissioners the highway department would expend the 2008 appropriation for fuel in the next two months. He said when he announced this to the county council, he was motivated by the members to utilize cost-saving measures before requesting an additional or transfer appropriation to pay for fuel for the remainder of 2008.

Francis developed a list of procedures to which highway department employees will be expected to strictly adhere. The list included not leaving truck engines idling for more than three minutes, no personal use of county vehicles for errands, lunch times flexed to coincide with traveling to and from jobs, adherence to speed limits and monitoring of load weights on trucks. He explained when trucks are over loaded, they consume more fuel to operate.

Francis said he suspended the 10-hour workday schedule as of Monday. He said the department was open five days each week for 10 hours each day by splitting workers'shifts. He said he examined the situation and discovered it was not the cost-saving measure he anticipated it would be when it was implemented.

The replacement deck on the Bridge #129 project is wider than the road leading up to the bridge. The road must be re-designed to match the approach to the bridge. Francis said the road work was to be accomplished after the deck was installed and workers could understand exactly how the road had to be correctly positioned to be in line with the bridge.

Park board

Park board president Bob Burton was granted permission, by consensus, to develop a camping plan for French Post Park. Burton said the camping would be primitive and for limited amount of days. All campers would be required to register with the park board in advance of camping.

"I think it's a great idea because it's a beautiful area," Hylton said.

The board will present a formal proposal at the June 16 evening commissioners' meeting.

It was decided the wood from cut trees and debris by the highway department could be located at Deer Creek Park for campers.

Other business

Auditor Myers was directed by commissioners' attorney Barry Emerson to investigate with the Indiana State Board of Accounts about how donation funds for specific departments should be managed by her office. He suggested it might be appropriate for the council to appropriate the funds rather than department heads being allowed to spend the money independently of council approval.

Commissioners approved the proposed fee schedule for Carroll County Area Plan Commission building permits, effective July 1.

Carroll County Historical Society and Museum will have a sign on the courthouse lawn and use the courthouse June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Delphi Transportation Festival.

Delphi Lions will use the courthouse restrooms July 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. during the Independence Day Parade.

Carroll County Family Clinic Board will use the courthouse lounge July 15.

The next meeting will be June 16 at 6 p.m.

Drainage Board

After learning that Carroll County Surveyor Wayne Chapman was not going to attend the monthly meeting, drainage board members George Mears, Hylton and Bill Brown discussed a missed meeting with the Cass County Drainage Board May 7. Cass County changed the date of the scheduled meeting to May 5 and no Carroll County representative was able to attend. A new meeting date will be arranged by drainage board secretary Kim Cripe.

The next drainage board meeting will be July 7 at 8:30 a.m.