Published: June 26, 2008 09:38 am      

Stormy weather causes widespread cleanup

MILLERSBURG, Ind. — Millersburg Maintenance Superintendent Matt King told council members Wednesday night that the past few days have kept him and Jack Lantz busy clearing residential yard debris.

“Chipping, that’s what we’re doing,” King said.

He attributed the increase in volume to the recent weather and local factory holiday vacations.

“There is a lot of clean-up going on in town now. It’s great,” council president Jim Winkler said.

Another item King noted, was that state road crews will be back in town to rework some existing street issues, including redoing the brim of Elm Street at the intersection of Ind. 13, as well as Carriage Street.

Council member Priscilla Hile requested King place another item on his to-do list.

“I know you’re waiting on the county to stripe it, but could you please do something with Washington Street?” Hile asked.

Hile said that the worn-down markings make it difficult for drivers to identify which side of the road they’re on.

“I had an issue with that myself today on Washington Street. We’ll get on it,” King said.

Council members agreed to request increased patrolling of town streets from Marshal Keith Hathaway, after maintenance employee Jack Lantz noted that some drivers on Elm Street are not obeying posted limits.

“They’re flying,” Lantz said.

Millersburg resident Gene Miller attended the meeting Wednesday evening to share appreciation with the maintenance staff.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” Miller said. “I saw Jack out sweeping the road in front of the post office, and he and Matt came over and fixed up my yard from snowplowing, and I want you to know I appreciate it.”

“We appreciate hearing it,” Winkler said, “Usually you don’t hear the thank yous. We have good, conscientious employees.”

Old business

Board members voted 2-1 in favor of having Park Board members exclusively handle issues that arise within the park. In the event of a dispute or situation that is unable to be resolved by the board, the council agreed assist the board with a solution.

Council members Hile and Abe Beachy voted in favor, Winkler against.

In prior weeks, debate occurred regarding whether ball diamond facilities should be rental-only, or open to the community.

Winkler has said that he feels any use should be paid to support the Park Department’s maintenance, upkeep and general budget items.

Beachy and Hile felt diamonds should be available to the public for use as long as they were not reserved by contract.