Published: October 07, 2008 12:00 am         

Covington hears complaints again

COVINGTON, Ind. — City officials will answer a west side mowing problem with crown vetch.

The city council listened again Monday night to concerns by resident Dan Noble. Noble’s primary concern was with standing water that results when storm sewer water run out into an open field just east of the Wabash River and some drainage problems in areas just north of the town’s electric department building.

The city really can’t do much about the water in the field since it is county property explained Mayor Brad Crain, but maps will be checked. Electric Superintendent Dave Clodfelter agreed that the area just north of his department’s building needs attention since they can’t even get a mower into the area without it getting stuck.

Crain promised that the city would determine what is causing the drainage problem and fix it. The council also discussed dealing with the problem of mowing some of the city properties west of Second Street and decided that they would try planting crown vetch on the hillsides that are not mowable. Crown vetch is a low growing vine used for ground cover and erosion control.

In other business, council members:

--Agreed to allow trailer park owners Bob and Mary Denhart time to replace the electric meter boxes at the trailer park that need replacement. The Denharts received an estimate of $8,700 from Jeff Drumond to replace all the boxes with new ones, but the Denharts explained they just can’t afford to replace all at once. Clodfelter told the council he would have no problem if just those boxes on the west end of the trailer park were replaced now since they need the most immediate attention.

--Approved annual payments for the city’s radio maintenance agreements with Ra-Comm of Lafayette and the city’s fire department and police department. By agreeing to annual payments, the city saves eight percent on the maintenance agreements.

--Announced trick or treat hours are from 6-8 pm Oct. 31. A free ham and bean supper and hot dog roast will be at the big pavilion in the city park.

--Approved closing part of Fifth Street for a youth rally at the high school on Oct. 29 and Market Street from Fourth to Fifth streets on Oct. 31, for the Halloween Party at the Assembly of God.

--Heard that a representative from Ortman Drilling of Kokomo met with the city water department to discuss preliminary for a new well on the east side of the Wabash River.

--Learned from councilman Dale White that the city has received $14,000 in assistance from Federal Emergency Management for storm damage earlier in the year. White said that Covington will probably receive another $5,000 to $6,000 in assistance.

--Heard from Crain that “there is no fall clean-up in town.” Residents should not put out furniture or junk with their regular garbage, because it will not be picked up.

--Approved an ordinance, which is essentially a language amendment to a 1983 ordinance that concerns the zoning issues of nursing or rest homes. The new ordinance ensures that assisted living facilities receive the same treatment as nursing and rest homes as stated in the old ordinance.

--Approved the salary ordinance for elected officials with no changes from last year’s ordinance.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Covington City Council will meet at 7 p.m. EDT Oct. 20 at the city building, 1329 Second St.