The Bourbon Town Council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 12. The meeting was shown live on Facebook to allow the public to view and time was given at the end of the meeting for patrons to ask questions or make comments by leaving comments digitally.
The Council approved two contracts for repairs and maintenance on town properties. At the April meeting an agenda item concerning roof repairs at the town’s park was tabled. At the May meeting, a decision was made to have the needed work competed at a cost of $2, 950.
They additionally approved a contract with S & K Construction to make repairs to the Bell Tower. It was noted that there was rotting wood in both the support beam and the lattice work and that there needed to be repainting and cleaning. According to Council President Ward Byers, the repairs will be made with materials designed to be maintenance free. The cost of $18,040 will be split equally among three different funds.
Byers indicated they the town would be following Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s guidelines and would open the parks on May 22 for public use. The Matchette Center will also be available, but would be restricted to the maximum 100-person restriction.
Clerk/Treasurer Kim Berger reported that two town residents had applied for the 50/50 sidewalk replacement program. Both requests were approved with one at the town’s portion of $1,000 of the $2,000 quote. The second request was applied for with three quotes. It was approved at the lowest quote of $2,600 meaning the town would pay $1,300.
A request by Berger for protective glass in the clerk’s office was approved at $18,110. Discussion centered around the current need for protection from the COVID-19 virus crisis as well as protection from residents who might display anger. According to Berger, the cost will be forwarded to FEMA for reimbursement; however, it would still have to be approved before any payments would be made to the town.
Berger said Republic Services will begin picking up large trash on Friday, May 22.
Although Water /Waste Water Superintendent Steve Stacy was not at the meeting, his report showed the annual hydrant flushing will be during the week of May 18. As a reminder, the public should be aware that their water could be cloudy or brown due to the flushing process.
Council member P.J. Handley spoke to the restriction on beekeepers within the town that had been approved in 2016. He was seeking to have the number of hives increased. He is a beekeeper and offered information to the council. He said the restriction for fencing is set at four feet and should be kept high to force bees to fly over them. Referring to comments concerning the safety of the public, especially children, Handley said, “Honey bees aren’t aggressive, just defensive.” He went on to say that he doesn’t always use protective gear when working with his hives.
It was decided to hold a public hearing at the June meeting to receive comments from the public and allow research on the town’s zoning ordinances that might be pertinent.
Council Member, Les McFarland, briefly spoke to idea that came out of the Stellar Grant designations to erect electronic signs in each of the six towns within the county that could be used for advertising events or providing emergency information. Although the discussion county-wide is just beginning, McFarland said he would like to get local resident’s opinions on where a sign should be placed. He said that a survey will be posted on the town’s Facebook site to receive comments.
