Leesburg Cracking Down On Violations
LEESBURG — A decision was made at the Leesburg Town Council meeting held Monday, May 14, regarding ordinance violations. Clerk-Treasurer Mike Searfoss will be sending letters out to those in violation, along with a copy of the town ordinance.
“A lot of these residents I have made contact with and the issues have been resolved,” said Street Commissioner Craig Charlton. Council members agreed that there are still a handful of residents who remain in violation.
“From my standpoint I don’t feel like we have a lot of choice. We have an obligation to fulfill our ordinances,” said Council Vice-President Doug Jones.
“We can’t let it continue,” said Council President Tom Moore.
If there is no response to the initial letter, Attorney Vern Landis will send a follow-up letter. The next step will be implementing fines and/or towing vehicles, depending on the violation. Unpaid fines will be handled through the court system.
“These basically pertain to vehicles that are dismantled, are not plated or not road worthy,” said Charlton.
“My feeling is that in order for Craig to be able to do his job, we have to have our streets cleared,” said Council Member Christina Archer. “We have these ordinances. They’re posted on signs downtown. I think we need to follow through with enforcing it. People cannot just keep ignoring it.”
“I wish people understood that the motivation behind this is to keep the town and property values as appealing as we possibly can,” said Moore. “I’ve never understood why some folks think it’s okay to leave a vehicle that they don’t drive anymore in the backyard and let grass grow up around it. It doesn’t only affect them, it affects their entire neighborhood and maybe the whole town that they live in.”
Charlton informed council members that the town sewer locating device is no longer operable. The model is outdated so replacement parts are not available. According to Derek Tenney of Tenney & Sons Inc., Warsaw, the cost of a new sewer locator will be in the range of $3,000 to $5,000. After some discussion, it was agreed that the purchase of a new sewer locator would be in the best interest of the town. Tenney will be obtaining quotes for this.
Charlton reported that two residents recently utilized the Leesburg Sidewalk Enhancement Program, which assists with replacement of sidewalks that are in poor condition. Any resident interested in finding out more about this program should contact Charlton or Searfoss.
Moore suggested contacting the Indiana Department of Transportation in Fort Wayne about the possibility of having traffic lights installed.
“There are times of the day that it is difficult to get out onto SR 15, especially if you need to make a left turn across both lanes,” said Moore. “I know some of the bus drivers have issues with it”.
“If there was at least one light, even if people line up and have to wait while it goes through cycles, it would certainly be less dangerous,” said Archer. “Right now they just take their chances and dart out whenever they can.”
Council members agreed to send a letter to INDOT requesting that traffic counts be done in the area.
The annual Leesburg Memorial Day parade and service is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 28. A service will take place immediately following the parade at the cemetery. Public parking will be available in the Maple Leaf parking lot.
Other News:
- Town garage sale days will be June 22 and 23. Town clean-up days will be June 29 and 30.
- Letters will be sent to residents regarding sewer restrictions. Wipes are not to be flushed.
- Regarding the sizable hole in the alley behind 104 N. Jefferson St., a video check will be performed.
- Tenney stated there has been an ongoing pattern at Avalign Cutting Instruments, located on SR 15. According to Tenney, approximately every six months they have to replace pumps at that location. Council members discussed possible reasons for this as well as potential solutions.
- Jones will be contacting MACOG about a street inspection related to the Community Crossing grant.
- Moore reported that he is waiting on a third quote regarding the town hall addition.
- Landis stated there has been no movement in the market regarding the sewer bond refinancing.
- No parking is allowed on any street in Leesburg between the hours of 3-5 a.m.
- No burning is allowed in the town of Leesburg.
- Sidewalks are the responsibility of the resident per town ordinance. Trees and bushes in the tree lawn are the responsibility of the resident and are to be trimmed to permit safe passage on streets and sidewalks, including alleyways.
- A complete list of Leesburg town ordinances can be found at https://www.leesburgindiana.com/information
- The next regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 11.