FRANK DENZLER

Republican Staff Writer

The county commissioners met earlier this week and handled a short list of items.

Crystal Trueblood, board president of the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department requested county funds to replace 10-year-old cots utilized by the volunteer department. Trueblood said that those currently used by the department are 10 years old and in need of replacing. She also requested funding for the department to purchase a new ambulance. The county leaders informed her that the request would have to be done during the budget process in July. In a unrelated matter, Trueblood informed the commissioners that Josh Cooley recently was selected as fire chief for the department.

Rush County Sheriff Jeff Sherwood was next to go before the county leaders and said that the jail population has seen a decrease in recent weeks. According to Sherwood, currently there are 37 inmates housed at the county facility with nearly a third (10) already sentenced and four serving Indiana Department of Corrections time.

Workers recently began a project at the RCJ to the handicap ramp that leads to the entrance of the facility. While making that improvement, it was discovered that during an earlier repair, three roof drains were set in place and emptied onto First Street. However during winter months, water in the drains froze causing the pipes to break.

“The improvements (to the ramp) are happening but we just hit a snag. We are going to do it right but there is going to be an additional cost for the project,” Sherwood said.

The current plan calls for a line to be placed that will tie into a sewer drain on Perkins Street.

“Looking at a rough estimate it will be $4,000 to $5,000 extra,” Sherwood said.

In an unrelated matter, the sheriff said plans are moving forward to have a K9 in the department, hopefully by year’s end. Sherwood said that fundraising efforts for the project are currently underway with a substantial amount of the necessary funds already received.

In a final matter, County Auditor Deborah Adams informed the county leaders that although property tax bills are expected to be in the mail in coming weeks, county residents can pay their tax bills now.

Prior to adjourning, the commissioners signed an unofficial detour ordinance that will reduce the speed to 30 mph on the detour route that includes the Orange Pike and CR 225E during a rapidly approaching SR 44 repair.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.