A proposed plan for paying traffic fines in Crothersville took a step closer
to reality when the Crothersville Town Council last week approved first
reading of an ordinance to allow traffic infraction tickets written by
Crothersville Police to be paid at town hall.
The advantage to the town is increased funding to the town’s general fund
rather than getting only a few dollars when tickets are paid through the
county court system. The advantage to motorists receiving tickets is that by
paying locally, no reporting is done to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
or to insurance companies, either of which could result in loss of driving
privileges or higher insurance premiums.
The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance which is scheduled
for second and final reading during the May 5 council meeting. I approved
then, it could become the local law by the first of June.
Damage at Countryside Park in Crothersville from the Sept. 14 hurricane was
again approved to be repaired.
Town council awarded Shawver Construction with a project that will repair
roofs and dugouts at the park as well as repair a building at the sewer
plant that was damaged in a storm last year.
The project originally was awarded to Hanns Roofing at an earlier public
meeting. However, council chose Tuesday night to rescind that decision,
stating the firm was non-responsive and couldn’t provide adequate insurance
coverage.
Council President Ardell Mitchell said the town applied and is receiving 75%
of the estimated $12,700 in costs for the projects from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
At Tuesday’s meeting James Shawver, representing Shawver Construction,
produced its certificate of insurance. Mitchell requested it add its
workman’s compensation to the certificate of insurance before the start of
construction.
Mitchell added the only other company submitting a proposal for the project
was Royalty Roofing of Seymour, which proposed a higher bid. FEMA requires
that the town accept the lowest bid.
Shawver said he plans to donate $500 to the Crothersville Youth League.
In other matters:
•The council discussed Crothersville being awarded $13,192.68 to assist with
added costs from January’s ice storm. The money will cover overtime hours
that Crothersville employees worked as well as reimbursement for things such
as salt and sand. The town will be paid 75 percent of that amount.
•The council approved this spring’s “large trash pickup days” as May 12 for
the area east of the railroad and south of Howard Street, May 19 for the
area east of the railroad and north of Howard Street, and May 26 for the
area of town west of the railroad.
•Increased the new Chief of Police Vurlin McIntosh’s wages by $1.95 an hour
to $17.45 to compensate him for the chief’s pay. The council voted 2-1 on
the matter with Ardell Mitchell voting no.
•The council heard a report from McIntosh that 40 applications for the job
opening with the local police department had been narrowed to 12. “Four of
those have previous police experience and I hope to narrow the group to
three for the council to interview in executive session,” said McIntosh.
