Pictured, from left, are Claypool Town Council Member Gene Warner, 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 grants and TIF monies for upcoming projects during a council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe attended the meeting and said she and Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner submitted a $5,500 grant request to The Dekko Foundation, with the town matching 20% of that amount. If awarded, the grant will be used for creating a concept as a visual tool to pursue additional grants for the creation of a park.

Roe also said the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission approved Claypool for $250,000 for the town’s wastewater and sewer project.

“We met multiple times with different people … I think (Council Member) Don (Miller) and I about passed out when they said ($250,000),” said Roe. “I don’t know the exact details of how that will come to Claypool or how that will be moved forward, but it is specifically supposed to be put toward the wastewater facility.”

Miller asked Roe if the town needed to establish a park board to manage grants for the future park project. Roe said it was not a requirement.

With the town’s wastewater and sewer project, Council President Benny Stage Jr. said the new building at the sewer plant is up but still needs its floor to be poured. Electrical and plumbing work is set to take place sometime next week.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the wastewater project will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the plant.

Railroad Crossing and Trash Bin Issues

Council also noted they were not informed of ongoing railroad work by Norfolk Southern, which has resulted in the temporary closure of some intersections in town limits.

“We had no idea what they were doing, nobody knew,” said Council Member Gene Warner. “They just came in and did what they wanted to do. We had one way in and out of the back end of town, which nobody knew how to get to. The mail didn’t even know how to get there. I didn’t get mail for four days because of it. It made a big mess.”

Stage also said the work has resulted in damage to streets.

“Every crossing they’ve redone, they’re rougher than they used to be,” said Stage. “It makes no sense.”

“People are blaming us, and we had no idea,” said Warner. “They just moved in and closed stuff, didn’t let anybody know anything.”

Council also said there’s been ongoing issues with residents not moving their trash bins from the roadway after pickup occurs. Town Marshal Trevor Long said he’s still working with Town Attorney Rama Sobhani on the finalization of an ordinance for fining residents who don’t move their trash bins.

The council also had a second reading for the town’s 2026 budget, totaling $302,970, and adopted it. Claypool’s 2026 budget is categorized as follows: general, $191,570; local roads and streets, $23,000; motor vehicle highway, $31,000; cemetery, $4,000; cumulative capital improvements, $1,000; cumulative capital development, $7,400; and economic development income tax credit, $45,000.

Council also:

• Informed residents that nothing has changed on the allowance of chickens within town limits.
• Asked residents to place leaves in biodegradable bags for pickup.
• Reminded residents that Main Street will be blocked off from Section Street to the post office for trunk or treat from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The road will be closed off beginning at 5:30 p.m. Door-to-door trick or treat hours for Claypool are from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
• Heard from Long that the town website features YouTube recordings of council meetings, meeting minutes, an events page, and a method for residents to pay bills electronically.

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