The Crothersville Town Council handled a variety of town matters when they met last Wednesday, Nov. 7.
The council learned through contractor Seth Gardner that property developer Chase Murphy wanted to build three homes at 401 N. Armstrong St. which borders Walnut and Armstrong St (US 31).
“While we have the road front footage the town ordinance calls for, there is not the square footage required for three lots,” Gardner told the council.
It was noted that the location many years ago had three homes at the location.
Gardner sought and received approval for an exception to the lot square footage ordinance.
Parks Board president Steve Plasse told the council that the Parks board had been approved for a $15,000 Community Foundation of Jackson County grant to construct a shelter house and conduct a summer day camp for 4th & 5th graders next year.
“We received a generous $5,000 donation from Cerrowire but are still about $6,220 short to make it all happen,” Plasse said. “We are still firming up our costs of construction and reaching out to the community for assistance before next year.”
Additionally, he noted that a large tree at the park was losing limbs and should be taken down for the safety of park visitors. He said cost proposals were for $1,800 to cut the tree down and move it off to the side.
The council approved the park expenditure to remove the tree.
Ben Rudolph, chairman of the Jackson County 911 board requested to use the town’s water tower for improved emergency radio communications antenna to notify EMS, fire and the town’s new tornado siren
“This will improve emergency communication and allow the 911 board to expand the network,” Rudolph said.
Councilman Jamy Greathouse noted that there are three boards charged with providing emergency services in the county—EMS, EMA and 911.
“Where is Crothersville represented on any of those boards? Not having a voice on those boards makes other people not from here making decisions that impact Crothersville residents’ safety,” he said.
Board president Terry Richey agreed. “We miss out on representation on these county boards and the services the county provides that we help pay for,” she said.
Rudolph said that those appointments come from the county commissioners and that those issues should be addressed to them.
“And they meet twice a month at 9 a.m. and we all have jobs that we are at when they meet,” Greathouse noted.
Despite the lack of transparency from the county, the town council unanimously approved allowing the 911 board to use the town’s water tower.
In other matters, the council unanimously approved on first reading Ordinance 2024-5 a sewer use ordinance.
It was announced that Crothersville would sponsor a Christmas light contest from residents inside the town limits. Residents can compete for $500 in prizes for the best holiday decorations.
Decorations should be up an illuminated by 6 [p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, for the peoples choice award. Judging will take place on Dec. 6.
Residents can get more information and sign up through the town’s facebook page.