Water, Bridges Make Work for Commissioners

News

May 19, 2009

Elizabeth Bailey The Greensburg Daily News Tue May 19, 2009, 12:28 PM EDT

With the coming of warmer weather, residents of the unincorporated town of Sardinia have officially passed the deadline for acquiring septic permits to remedy the area’s violation of health and environmental codes.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) cited Decatur County due to human waste being found flowing from the storm sewer along State Road 3 into Poplar Root Creek. The finding showed that residential septic systems were not functioning properly, which is a violation of both local and state policy if the homes are inhabited.

In November, the county drafted letters to the area residents requiring a septic permit be filed by March 1. Now that mid-May has arrived, only one or two permits have been filed at the Decatur County Health Department. This poses a serious problem for the county, as fines will begin to build up at a rate of $250 per week or $13,000 per year if the situation is not resolved, attorney Peg Polanski explained.

As a result of the residents’ inaction, the county will begin filing law suits against property owners along State Road 3 and move away from the roadway to the east and west in coming months. The suits are intended to bring the properties into compliance, remedying the problem of sewage discharge into the creek. Only once all septic systems are certified as functional, replaced or installed will the process end.

Area residents voiced their intention in a series of meetings last summer to work together to install or replace ailing septic systems in order to avoid the installation of a costly collector system for the town of approximately 45 properties. However, in the months following the meeting, little or no action has taken place. Without the individual septic systems being brought into compliance with state and local codes, a collector system, at a cost of more than $1 million, will become the only option.

Other projects in the county are moving forward, however. Bridge 115 should reopen this week, highway superintendent Mark Mohr told the commissioners. Work has also begun on Bridge 30. Due to IDEM regulations, Bridge 25 will have to be realigned, requiring additional surveying and purchases of right of way at an increased cost to the county.

Some changes in the way the county deals with bridge inspections may also be impending, as engineering consultant Ron May, who has assisted the county in previous inspections, fell off of a bridge in Ripley County recently. Depending upon the outcome of medical treatment, the county may have to replace him as its consultant, the commissioners noted.

In the interest of properly handling emergencies at the courthouse, security officer Tony Blodgett has finished an evacuation plan, for which the commissioners commended him. He has also been in contact with David Fry of Decatur County Memorial Hospital during efforts to acquire an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Fry expressed the hospital’s desire, in conjunction with Clarion, to donate a unit to the courthouse. This donation is expected to take place during the first June meeting of the commissioners, and a plaque will be placed next to the cabinet to denote the donation.

Progress is also impending on the plan for a recreational path from Freeland Road to the Greensburg Public Library. Bob Dawson reported that arrangements have been made to get easement descriptions for the project that could assist in securing funding. The commissioners offered their blessing.

Text Only

News

Williams addresses Tea Party, fields questions
Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series about a recent Tea Party event in which local candidates Lora Williams and Don Bates appeared, addressing issues and answering questions.

February 9, 2012
Occupants escape without injury
Tuesday night fire in Lake McCoy destroyed the bungalow-style home of three Decatur County residents.

February 9, 2012
Two dead in Tuesday night crash
Two Decatur County residents are dead following a single vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 421 North Tuesday night.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
DCMH has significant economic impact
Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) began serving the community 90 years ago, on Feb. 4, 1922, and has long been recognized as the leading healthcare provider in the county.

February 8, 2012
Bates addresses Tea Party, fields questions
Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series about a recent Tea Party event in which local candidates Lora Williams and Don Bates appeared, addressing issues and answering questions important to Tea Party voters.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Statehouse action resumes after game break
After a time-out to accommodate out-of-town Super Bowl visitors, the Indiana General Assembly is back in session to tackle legislation that had been bottlenecked by a contentious labor bill.

February 8, 2012
Super Bowl experience was a winner
If praise and adulation put points on the scoreboard, then Indianapolis had a blowout victory hosting its first Super Bowl.

February 8, 2012
DCCF announces grant opportunities
The Board of Directors of the Decatur County Community Foundation (DCCF) is pleased to announce it will continue a variety of grant opportunities available for 2012 from the unrestricted pool of funds.

February 8, 2012
Meth lab numbers continue to rise
The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section was started in January 2006.
That year, there were 803 meth labs dismantled around the state.

February 8, 2012
Daffodil Days program inspires hope
Decatur County residents can fight back against cancer and share hope for those facing the disease by supporting the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days.

February 7, 2012
More News Headlines

News

Search Results

Water, Bridges Make Work for Commissioners

Site Map

Contact Us