Greensburg — Road blocks and backhoes were the order of business for the Greensburg Board of Works this week.

The board heard from several patrons requesting a series of temporary street closures in order to conduct community events. First was Laura Welborn, president of the Tree City Fall Festival committee, who was returning to finalize the closure of the courthouse square for the festival, slated for Sept. 17 through 19. Welborn said the committee had finalized plans to close down Washington Street and Franklin Street in addition to the traditional request of Broadway as well as the inside street on the southside. According to Welborn, there were plans to place vendors in the middle of Washington Street. While the festival has commitments from 58 vendors, which is more than last year, the booths will likely remain on the grassy area along the sidewalk. However, the street will be closed off with wood and concrete barriers.

Mayor Gary Herbert wondered how the committee would handle the parade route, which traditionally travels south on Broadway and heads east on Washington. Welborn noted the parade would turn west to avoid the necessity of moving the barriers. Greensburg Fire Chief Scott Chasteen and Greensburg Police Chief Brian Heaton as well as Street Commissioner Mark Klosterkemper agreed, with two stages at this year's festival, Washington Street should be closed for safety reasons.

Board member inquired about how businesses along the square were reacting to the changes, and Welborn noted issues have been resolved and communication was running smoothly. With that, the board approved the closure.

Kelly Miller of the Community Church of Greensburg also approached the board wishing to close the southside of the square and some parking spaces along the square's interior to hold a Trunk and Treat event. Miller noted the event was slated for Oct. 30 and allows children a safe environment to trick or treat. Several churches band together to provide treats from the trunks of cars instead of children roaming neighborhoods. Miller, who also approached the Decatur County Commissioners earlier in the day, produced the proof of insurance document both boards required to allow the event to proceed. Mayor Herbert wondered how this event would affect the Greensburg Kiwanis traditionally parade and costume contest. Miller noted she would like to work with the Kiwanis but had yet to make official contact. Chasteen noted the Kiwanis event was dependent on what day and time the City Council would set trick or treat hours. Chasteen noted the Kiwanis would likely hold their event on Saturday if the council stuck with tradition and kept trick or treating on Halloween night. The council decided trick or treating would be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night later in the evening.

The board approved Miller's request and asked she work with the Kiwanis.

Police Chief Heaton also made a request to close down a small section of Ryle Addition to hold a block party on Sept. 25. The section would shut down Ryle Drive from 509 to 513 to allow for a community cookout with kids games and activities as well as live entertainment. Being a residential neighborhood with low traffic, the board approved the request and hoped to see more in the future.

"I'd like to see more block parties as long as they're not on busy streets," Herbert said. "We appreciate that they contacted the police and approached the board to close the streets."

Klosterkemper approached the board to purchase items previously budgeted. He presented the board with bids for a 79" by 17.5" Cronkhite 3400 tilt bed trailer. Kloseterkemper said the department was simply tired of paying to rent a trailer every time they needed to haul equipment for a job. The low bid came in at $5,475 from Miller Equipment, which the board accepted.

Next he offered five bids for various backhoes. There was some discussion because one model came in at a much lower cost with a bigger warranty, however, it did not meet the specifications required in the bid. After some discussion, the board decided not to re-let the project so competitors could offer a price outside the specifications and chose Case 590 priced at $75,657 with a 24-month warranty.

Klosterkemper also presented a contract from Schneider Corporation to begin work on the renovation of the courthouse square. The work, backed by a $500,000 grant, will begin on the west and south sides of the square.

In other business, the board: Heard an update on the Lincoln Street project, which is moving steadily along with major work expected to be completed by Thanksgiving; heard an update from HNTBÕs Darren Burkhart on the raw water main project; and set a date to begin interviewing candidates to fill two vacant police positions.