Published: May 26, 2009 10:07 pm      

Veedersburg loses state revenue

VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — Veedersburg is losing roughly $184,000 in tax revenue from the state.

Town Council President Ken Smith said Tuesday night that because Veedersburg had about a $184,000 reduction in tax revenue, the town’s four summer help positions — including the meter-reader hired at the previous meeting— had to be cut. The town will not be able to fund its annual summer park program this year. There will be no major street work this summer, except for minor maintenance.

“All full-time town employees and police protection are being kept,” Smith said. “Until the economy improves, the town will be in a poor financial situation.”

A meeting is being held by Cindy Mason of the Department of Children and Family Services at 4 p.m. EDT today for anyone interested to discuss how the summer park program can continue this year in Veedersburg. The program will only be able to continue this year if the program receives enough donations.

In other business, council members:

-- Addressed mowing complaints at Hub Park to Mike Bollman, owner of God’s Green Acres mowing service of Crawfordsville. Bollman said he fired the two workers causing the problems.

“I apologize deeply for the mistakes that were made,” said Bollman. Councilman Bob Barker said that he was concerned about the speed at which the workers were working on the mowers.

Bollman answered, unless the mowers are not mowing properly, they will not slow down, because time is money. Bollman added they are losing money on this job so they try to do it as fast as possible while still doing a good job.

--Approved Sherry Laboratories of Daleville to perform sample water testing at the wastewater plant on three days while Superintendent Connie Sichts is on vacation for about a week and a half in June. Sherry Labs charges $228.60 per day of testing. Sichts said that she already uses Sherry Labs for testing purposes.

-- Learned from street and water Superintendent Paul Keeling that the sewer project is finally complete after Campbell’s Excavating of Veedersburg finished work at 607 N. Walnut St.

-- Learned from Keeling that Best Equipment of Indianapolis demonstrated its sewer camera at a residence on Walnut Street. The camera revealed that the problem in the line was from roots and grease. The representative from Best Equipment suggested the town look into the possibility of using storm-water grant money towards the purchase of a sewer cam, vacuum truck or street sweeper.

-- Learned from electric Superintendent George Gowens that the electric crew’s job of moving the entire park’s lighting wires underground is complete.

-- Heard a question from town dogcatcher Jim Abernathy over what to do about animals being left unattended. Stuart Welliever, the town’s attorney, suggested having a police report filed for abandonment or neglect. The council recommended Abernathy keep an eye on the dog in question.

-- Received a request from resident Dave Leek to have the town clean out a ditch on Harrison Street near the apartments. Leek said that the ditch was full of dirt. Keeling promised it would be checked.

-- Listened to a complaint from resident Bob Thomas in regards to old yard-sale signs still being posted after the sale is long over.

-- Discussed the status of several abandoned houses in town. Barker wants the owners of these abandoned houses to at least clean up their properties and reminds everyone spring clean-up is on June 12.

-- Learned from Welliever that a court hearing against the owner of the old grain elevator will take place at 11:30 a.m. EDT June 16. The hearing is for violators of the town’s nuisance ordinance.

-- Learned Milestone will be in town next week to complete maintenance work on streets.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Veederburg Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. EDT June 9 at the Veedersburg Municipal Building.