When the Decatur County Commissioners gathered for their regular bi-monthly meeting, Monday, the county remained in negotiations with the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) on the topic of road repairs.
Although a road usage agreement was signed at the start of the process of laying pipe through the county that said REX would repair any damage to local roads, the two entities have yet to agree upon the extent of the damage and the cost of repairing it, Highway Superintendent Mark Mohr explained.
The commissioners believe an agreement upon a figure will be reached soon. However, they explained, REX must have documentation to support the funds it outlays for repairs, hence the extensive process of determining the damage and potential cost.
Decatur County, they noted, is likely to come out of this project in much better condition than Franklin County, where their road usage agreement was supported by a $2 million bond, they have been offered $2.6 million and the actual cost of repairs is estimated at $5 million, according to Mohr.
Although negotiations with REX have taken quite a bit of time, the highway department, Mohr noted, is also in the process of various shoulder repairs throughout the county. In addition, progress is continuing for Bridge 19, which is due for letting next year.
Considerations for Lake McCoy are also underway. Rather than continuing to rebuild a bridge that is regularly destroyed by high water, the county is considering other options, such as creating a cul-du-sac so that school buses can turn around rather than having two separate access roads to the area. Plans for this are in their formative stage, but the county will be working to find the best solution to the problem.
Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert also informed the commissioners of the impending renovation of Vandalia Road, scheduled to take place next year. He noted that the road will be widened up to the bridge and could be widened further if the county can step in to broaden the bridge.
Although septic system installation has been nearly impossible this season due to large amounts of rain, residents in Sardinia are continuing to figure out ways to solve the problem of ailing or improper systems. Carl Manlief came to the commissioners on behalf of Sardinia Baptist Church, whose parsonage does not sit on enough ground to accommodate a finger system. Manlief is in the process of securing easements in order to enable compliance with the state mandate that septic systems must be replaced or repaired in the unincorporated town.
“The county has made a commitment to get this done,” Commissioners President Jerome Buening said, “and we will help wherever we can.”
In other business, the commissioners will be asking for a proposal from the Fair Board in order to better document who is responsible for what aspects of operating the fairgrounds.
The next meeting of the commissioners will take place at 8 a.m. on Oct. 19 in room 106 of the courthouse.
News
Commissioners Hope Rough Roads With REX Smoothing Out
- News
-
-
Week for Wishes ends optimistically
Down the road a bit from the multitude of Relay for Life fundraising activities taking place at the Decatur County Fairgrounds, the local chapter of the Make a Wish Foundation hosted a variety of fun events all their own.
-
Relay touts big numbers
Hundreds of area residents gathered at the Decatur County Fairgrounds over the weekend, each doing his or her part to take a stand against cancer.
-
"Kindy 500" a fun fest for all
There were no engines to start Thursday afternoon, and the racing "track" offered significantly less space and ground to cover compared to a certain race being staged this Sunday, but that did nothing to dampen the spirit among students as they participated in the 1st "Kindy 500" at Greensburg's Good Shepherd Academy.
-
School's out!
The children of Greensburg Elementary School were more than happy to mug for the camera en route to boarding the school buses that would soon ferry them on to summer vacation Monday afternoon.
-
FSA reminds producers to file Annual Report of Acreage
Julia A. Wickard, State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana today reminded producers to submit their annual report of acreage to their local FSA county office to meet FSA program eligibility requirements.
-
Surviving Decatur County's storm season
In an interview last September, meteorologist and Greensburg native Brian Schoettmer with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Louisville, Ky., told the Daily News that early-through-mid-spring and late fall tend to be the busiest and most dangerous times of the year for tornadoes and other severe weather in the Ohio Valley region.
-
Strawberry Festival date announced
The Decatur County United Fund's annual Strawberry Festival is set for Friday, June 1, on the south side of the courthouse square.
-
GoGreensburg silent auction
An autographed hat and photo card, complete with authentication papers, will be up for bids at a silent auction Monday.
-
Running Clinic ready to take off
Children planning to spend the early portion of their summer in a brisk jog may find the upcoming Decatur County Youth Running Clinic much to their liking.
-
Man held after assaulting police
A Greensburg man is in the custody of the Decatur County Jail following a drug-induced assault on police Thursday night.
- More News Headlines
-


