Pictured, from left, are Claypool Council President Benny Stage Jr. and Council Member Don Miller. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — The Claypool Town Council discussed the establishment and amendment of several ordinances during a May 21 meeting.

Council President Benny Stage Jr. brought up the possibility of amending the town’s dog and cat ordinance regarding leashes. He recalled a recent incident where an unleashed dog in town ran across the street toward a resident and their dog. No one was injured.

The current ordinance states dogs in town must be accompanied by their owner, but does not provide any details on leashes. Stage proposed amending the ordinance to say that dogs must be leashed when they are off their owner’s property. Owners would be fined $25 for the first offense and $50 for the second violation. Council approved amending the ordinance to add language about leashing dogs.

Stage also mentioned traveling through town and noticing at least six different properties in need of mowing and trimming. He suggested rewriting Claypool’s current ordinance to fine property owners who are in violation. After five days of being notified about the violation, if a property continues to be in violation, the town will hire LC Lawn Services LLC to mow the property and bill the owner for the service.

Council further discussed ongoing issues with residents leaving overflowing trash bins out next to the roadway all week long. Stage said the city of Fort Wayne’s trash bin ordinance states bins can be left near the roadway from noon the day before pick-up until noon the day after pick-up.

Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle said he would work on documents for the town’s mowing and trash ordinances to present to council at its June meeting.

Council also passed a resolution establishing a policy for council members attending meetings in a virtual manner. With this resolution, only one of the three members would be able to virtually attend a meeting. The council member attending virtually would also need to be able to communicate in real time with the public and with council. There are also limits on how often a council member can virtually attend meetings.

With this resolution now in place, the council will be looking into using a wi-fi hotspot to utilize at meetings.

In other business, Chris Harrison, business development manager with Commonwealth Engineers Inc., attended the meeting to provide an update on working with a consulting group on grant writing for monies from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The monies would go toward the town’s sewer project.

The town would only have to pay the consulting group for their work if they received an OCRA grant.

Harrison said the group is “very comfortable” about Claypool qualifying for an OCRA grant. The town and group’s goal is to apply for a $700,000 grant.

Council approved moving forward with the OCRA grant process contingent on Grossnickle’s review and approval of paperwork. Stage will sign any necessary paperwork following Grossnickle’s review.

The council also approved proceeding with work on a five-year strategic plan for Claypool. Council is working with Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe to establish goals for each year and determining methods of meeting those goals. The plan would include input from council members, residents, and local business owners. Stage said the primary goal with the strategic plan is to “be proactive, not reactive.”

A resident also expressed concern with motorists speeding on Clay Street. Speed limits in town range from 25-30 mph, and some drivers are traveling over 60 mph. Council discussed the possibility of having a portable electronic sign reminding people to slow down, or establishing solar-powered speed limit signs. Council Member Don Miller also mentioned possibly getting a surveillance camera for the downtown area.

Town Marshal Paul Mullins said the biggest issue with having a camera in downtown Claypool would be getting a signal to transmit to the town’s barn, where the police department is located. Mullins also said motorists typically slow down when they see a police vehicle. He asked anyone who sees speeding drivers to get the make, color, or license plate of the suspect vehicle and provide that information to the Claypool Police Department.

Council also heard from Jerry Creekmore, who owns the property at 207 S. Clay St. He said he is wanting to demolish the current structures on the property and build a 40′ x 60′ garage. The council said a building of that size would be a commercial area and asked Creekmore to present a sketch of his plans to the council at their next meeting.

Council further:

• Approved sending a letter to Sky Team Properties LLC, who owns the post office building at 117 S. Main St., regarding issues with the post office’s entry door.
• Approved having a moment of silence before the Pledge of Allegiance at council meetings.

Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, at the Claypool Lions Club building.

Pictured is information regarding the town’s upcoming large trash day pick-up on June 22. All of the items listed on the left can be collected. For items in the upper right, residents must call Borden’s to get a quote for how much pick-up would cost.