Melissa Conrad
Rushville Mayor Mervyn Bostic announced Tuesday that he appointed Mark Nichel of West Third Street Rushville as the new Animal Control officer, replacing Don Jarman who was dismissed Friday.
The Rushville Board of Works, in a meeting held prior to the Rushville Common Council meeting Tuesday evening, approved hiring Stephanie Dennis of Rushville as the Assistant Animal Control officer. Dennis has worked with animals in the past including as an animal care specialist at the Animal Hospital and as an animal care technician at JC Farms in Shelbyville.
Mayor Bostic also distributed a letter dated Oct. 15 from Dr. Doug Schweikhardt, Dr. Fred Philips, Dr. Bob Jackman, Dr. George King and Dr. Rob Jackman stating, “In light of your recent decision that was announced in the Rushville Republican on Oct. 10, 2009, we, the practicing veterinarians of Rush County, want to pledge our support to you in the future operation of the animal shelter.”
On Oct. 10, it was announced that Rushville Assistant Animal Control officer Jamie Glandon was terminated from her position at the Rushville Animal Shelter by a vote of the Rushville Board of Works. Mayor Bostic recommended Glandon’s termination to the board.
In other news, Mayor Bostic also reported continued efforts in acquiring right of way from three properties along 16th Street in preparation of work to be done in the future.
Council president Bill Goins commented on the Main Street Project.
The timeline was discussed in detail and presented by Jim Reese, project supervisor. The total project will take a couple of years and includes Phase I from First Street South to the bridge. Phase II from the railroad tracks at Fourth Street to 13th Street and Phase III in the late fall of 2010 and 2011 from 13th Street to Creekside.
Details of immediate work include —
Week of:
11/09/09: Begin clearing (trees from railroad tracks north) and mobilization (layout of temporary right of way week prior).
11/16/09: Continue mobilization and clearing (material deliveries for water main to lay down yard).
11/23/09: Finish clearing and mobilization (machines arriving on site). Begin layout for water main. Tentatively starting at railroad tracks and going north. Project will be shut down for Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and 27.
11/30/09: Crews arrive to begin water main installation. Parking lands will be closed on State Road 3 during water main installation.
12/7/09 thru 12/23/09: Continue water main installation. (Will have a two week shut down for the holidays from 12/24/09 thru 1/5/10.)
1/5/10: Continue water main installation till March 30, 2010.
On March 30 closures will also be detailed for Phase II and Phase 1A of the project. The city and Reese continue discussions with businesses and emergency departments to plan for road closures requiring alternate routes and crossovers for business access.
Transfer Resolution 2009-13 passed with a motion from Goins and a second by Cindy Humphrey.
The Utility Department will come back before the Council in the future to discuss an increase in customer deposits from $50 to $75 and a salary ordinance for a Utility Superintendent that will become an employee under local management rather than a contracted position.
The Street Department was given approval with a motion by Mike Buckley and a second from Goins that passed to purchase a paver and a tire changer and balancer. The budget already includes the expenditure providing a contribution from other departments who will utilize the tire changer services. The cost of the items is $8,369.
The mayor also congratulated the Parks Department for the Halloween Parade and costume contest. “It went wonderful,” he said.
Melissa Conrad is a southern Rush County resident and a freelance writer. Add a comment at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
