Flora agrees to purchase Grubb properties
By Susan Scholl Editor

The Town of Flora approved the purchase of two properties on West Main Street owned by John and Margaret Grubb at Monday night's meeting of the Town Council.

"We want to own them for possible future fire station expansion," said council president Josh Ayres.

The agreed price for both properties was $62,250 - $44,500 for the property at 108 W. Main and $17,750 for the property at 112 W. Main.

The Grubbs have until Dec. 31 to vacate the property.

Council member Vince Seward reported that work is complete on the buried tank environmental report at the airport. All the reports have been submitted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the town is waiting to hear back from IDEM.

After meeting with Steve Woody, vice president of site development with ERS Telecom Properties, Granger, about placing a communications tower on town-owned property on East Elizabeth Street, Council member David Albaugh recommended the town decline the offer. His recommendation was approved.

"There is not much value in us giving the property to them," said Albaugh, "and the neighbors feel it will devalue their properties."

EDC

Daryl Smith, executive director of the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation, explained that the EDC is working to develop marketable real estate in Carroll County.

"Our goal is to have four sites available and we are currently working on developing two," he said. "We have options to purchase 80 acres south of Flora (Johnson farm), near Flora's industrial park, and 60 acres south of Delphi (old Gray turkey farm).

One of the many criteria to meet the state's Shovel Ready status is to rezone the Johnson property from agriculture to industrial. Carroll County Area Plan has already approved rezoning the property but recommended that EDC "make sure it works with Flora's land use plans."

The council enthusiastically endorsed EDC's plans for the property and adopted Resolution 2008-2, supporting the rezoning of the property and authorizing clerk-treasurer Joretta Tinsman to write a letter of support for the project to submit to the state.

Smith also commended the town on its selections for representation on the EDC - Bret Hanaway, Bret Rinehart and Joe Moss. He said they provide a lot of input and ask good questions.

Senior Citizen garden

The council approved Purdue University Master Gardener Sue Burge's request to develop a raised vegetable garden behind the Senior Center on North Division Street. She said that Carroll County Master Gardeners would provide the expertise on preparing the bed and determining what and how much to plant, while senior citizens would maintain the garden.

She explained that the project would be open to all senior citizens, not just those in the apartments.

Similar projects have been successful in other communities, according to Sherry Hensley.

Burge said they are too late to do a raised bed this year, but plan to get one going for next year and eventually have it wheel- chair accessible. In the meantime they will solicit donations from businesses and do fundraisers for the ongoing project.

Burge said the Senior Center has agreed to supply the water for the garden. A question was raised as to whether the nearby creek water could be used instead.

Police department

Town Marshal Paul Redmon reminded residents that it is their responsibility to register their animals with the town. If the animal gets loose it is the only way the animal can be identified and returned to the owner.

Because there is no animal control, it is up to police to determine what to do with unrestrained animals.

Redmon told about a recent incident at Flora Community Park where a man was walking his dog when it was attacked by an unrestrained pit bull. Because the pit pull had a collar on, the man was able to grab the collar and subdue the dog, but not after the man's dog was severely injured and he sustained an injury to his hand.

He reminded residents that the town has a leash law and other ordinances requiring that pets be immunized and have tags. Any liability caused by the animal is the owner's responsibility.

It is Indiana law, said Redmon, that all occupants of trucks must use seatbelts (factory-installed). Riders are not permitted in the pickup truck bed, either. Redmon said he would check into how this affects parades.

The activity report for May included: 17 arrests/misdemeanors, 5 felonies, 46 citations, 3 parking violations, 94 warnings, 120 calls for service, 4 accidents, and 3 warrants served.

VFD celebration

Flora Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate its 100th anniversary the weekend of the 4th of July.

"We have made several improvements to this year's fireworks display," said Chief Scott Sisson. "On July 5 we will have an open house at the station. We hope everyone will come and the weather will cooperate."

Other business

George Capitanio of Air Indiana requested permission to use the big ball diamond on July 4 for skydiving demonstrations.

He also asked the council to consider allowing RV hook-up at the airport for weekend use only. Air Indiana will pay any expenses.

Ayres said they will consider his request but the town first needs to check with its insurance carrier.

Town employees are sweeping streets as needed and picking up brush and yard waste. They have also been cutting tree limbs and doing general maintenance at the park.

Ayres asked residents to not sweep all of their yard debris into the catch basins. "They aren't trash receptacles," he said.

The debris is clogging the catch basins and cleaning them is taking up wastewater employees' time from other work that needs to be done, added Ayres.

TBIRD Design Services has submitted a compliance plan for the town to IDEM. The plan outlines steps that TBIRD and the town will follow to locate and eliminate the inflow and infiltration in the town's sewer collection system.

Council members will attend a Round Table in Wolcott on June 23.

The town office will be closed July 4; however trash will be picked up that day as usual.

The next meeting will be July 7 at 6 p.m.