Meet the Candidate Night

The Manchester Area Civic Association is sponsoring a 2004 Dearborn County Primary Candidates Night. Thursday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church of Manchester. The meeting will take place in the basement. The church is located on State Road 48 just past Manchester Market.

All opposed Dearborn County Candidates running in the primary have been invited to meet the citizens of Dearborn County to answer our questions.

Candidates expected to attend so far are:

Commissioner District 1

Karen Shell vs. Jeff Hughes

Commissioner District 2

Richard Fox vs. Mark Hall

County Council

Bill Ullrich and Mark Mitter

Treasurer

Amanda Pickens vs. Gayle Pennington

Surveyor

Dennis Kraus vs. Roger Woodfill

School Board Candidates

District 1
Mark Manford vs. Tim Whiteford

District 2
Terry Luhrsen

District 3
Karen Loveland


ARISTOTLE --
"If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost."

THOMAS JEFFERSON --
"Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government."

6 April 2004 sewer Board Meeting Highlights

Highlights from 6 April 2004 Sewer Board Meeting

Members present: Brett Fehrman, Pat Holland, Pat Hanlon (Acting Chairman), Barry Pruss, Rodney Dennerline, Greg Vollmer. Absent: Mike Hankins, Chairman, who arrived near the end of the meeting.
Att’y Lisa Lehner, Doug Baer, and Vera Benning, Special Advisor, also present.
Minutes of 4 meetings approved.

Special Speaker, Connie Stevens, postponed until May meeting.

Old Business:
1. Joe Tierney- GRW- provided clarification of project cost differences in various areas in an attempt to explain why Cole Lane’s cost differed so much from Stewart Lane and the main area. He stated that with 40 mobile homes on Cole Lane that already were connected to a central system, there was no need for individual grinders for each home. The entire system would be attached to the main. They only have to upgrade the main pumping system. [Note: Does this also apply to the other trailer courts in this district?]
Pat Hanlon wants the figures to be put on the back page to clarify.
Greg Vollmer wanted to be sure all 40 were considered in the effluent treatment figures though. Tierney said yes.
Greg Vollmer wanted them to consider gravity fed for parts of the area- some looked suitable for this - like High Ridge.
2. Lisa Lehner and Joe Tierney presented a reworded easement, which changed the language from plural to singular to reassure owners that only their system was being granted easement rights. References to adjoining properties were eliminated and returning land to proper grade with seed and fertilizer was added.
Pat Hanlon presented several other possible low cost options, but most were ruled out for practical considerations and long-term potential costs. Board seems to desire standardization so that they can easily repair and replace units as needed.
Brett Fehrman wondered if the owner’s own att’y could draft an easement. Lisa Lehner replied that it would have to satisfy the board’s engineering.
3. Advisory Committee- Vera Benning- Committee further discussed easements. They plan to have an easement gathering for all residents in the district at the reception hall on US 50. Space was donated free as well as refreshments, by the owner who lives in the district. Dave Emsweiler will take the easement to his company att’y to get a second opinion, so as to have more back up for the new version possibly.
Much discussion centering on the committee members feeling like they needed more concrete facts to take with them to the residents when requesting the easements. They may use a script so as to standardize what everyone is told and reduce liability issues for the board. Ed Yelton suggested that they use pictures and diagrams to illustrate.
Lisa Lehner stressed that title searches had been done and it was imperative to get the easements ASAP before that work was obsolete. Costs would increase if they have to do that again as land changes hands etc.
Board voted to move forward with the Rural Development grant application with the understanding that the scope of the work could change or be modified later if necessary. They also voted to move forward with the Advisory Board members to get easements as quickly as possible.
Joe Tierney will get Mike Hankins to sign the application and send it to Rural Development.
Joe and Lisa will attend the next advisory committee meeting to assist with the easement plans.
Tierney stated that they would have to see how things play out with Aurora and Dillsboro to determine if the county will have to build it’s own plant. [Note: Building a plant seems to be a recurring theme with Tierney and GRW]
4. Doug Baer- reported that the Lawrenceburg Bond Bank and Community Grant program, info was in their gray folder and they can discuss it at the next meeting after they have time to review the material. “We are slowly running out of funds,” per Doug. He also noted that Lawrenceburg has $100,000 in the Municipal Development Fund that they can apply for by July for 2005.
5. Doug Baer – Insurance is with Seitz Ins. Co. They also have Workers Comp to consider if they hire clerical staff. Binding and liability is purchased and the papers will be forthcoming for Mike Hankins to sign. Lisa will review them first.
6. Doug Baer- Regional Sewer District space in the large closet in the Health Dept. has been OK’d by the Commissioners this week. He will rehab it with a desk, phone, and computer wiring.
7. Joe Tierney – Letters to Aurora and Dillsboro. No decision yet from Randy Turner or Scott Fortner.
8. Pat Hanlon – Petitions against the district were reviewed. Most were concerned with cost issues. “We’re beyond these now.” Per Pat Hanlon.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Sewer 101 postponed for another meeting possibly due to lateness of the hour.
2. Rural Development and DOC (Dept of Commerce) grants covered under old business.
3. Preliminary engineering report was questioned: Answers- Only High Ridge and Walston Trailer Court were on private plants. Only minor commercial facilities were in this district and on US 50. Flow rates for 4,6,and 8- inch lines will be given at the next meeting by GRW. Doug Baer will make some calls to determine what happens to the abandoned plant and lagoon at High Ridge- i.e. clean-up issues. Doug Baer thought that IDEM might release Superfund money to take care of it. Pat Hanlon gave a history of High Ridge’s sewer woes and the plant owner’s lawsuits and bankruptcy issues. IDEM had apparently proposed another permit on the failed plant in 1999 and the Health Dept. told them no way – they’d have to be “crazier than a pet coon.” Per Hanlon.
4. More clarification of pump costs and Tierney detailed piping details at the board’s requests.
Pay back of 40 years is figured in the study and Pat Holland suggested that they get a long term commitment from whoever they send the sewage to so as to be set and not have to change pipes etc. at some future date. He also suggested that they get expansion set up also so as to accommodate future growth anticipated in that area with several properties up for sale.
Tierney is hoping to make improvements so that Aurora will accept Cole Lane.
Doug Baer informed the board that they were proceeding slowly with out of compliance businesses that are trying to cooperate so that they can solve their problems with this sewer district. That’s why it was imperative that the district move forward in a timely manner.
Questions concerning Rodney Dennerline’s trailer park on Cole Lane – Rodney told the board that it was a non- grinder system with a 4” line from the trailer park to Aurora. The bills were about $50 per month for the residents of the trailer park.
Tierney stated that they were going to put modular units to help at the plant and extra pump stations to help with expansion near the sites for growth possibilities.
Doug Baer stated that no more septic permits were being issued in that area. He also stated that when a new development comes in- it won’t be approved by him on tech review for the Plan Commission unless they have sewage OK’d. That puts the Sewer Board in the driver’s seat.
5.Lisa Lehner gave a brief talk on the Open Door Law and that it applied to both the board and the advisory committee. She illustrated it with examples. Dennerline commented that newspapers were responsible for this law. And that the ”penalty is just that you have to have another meeting.”
6. Working sessions – the board decided to use the second meeting each month as a working session- open to the public- BUT no public comment during these sessions.
Meeting adjourned 10:30 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Highlights of 5 April 2004 County Commissioners Meeting

Present: Karen Shell, Vera Benning, Dan Batta (arrived at 10AM), Lorie Howard, County Administrator, Lisa Lehner, County Att’y, and Cary Pickens, Auditor.

Brief reports from Veteran’s Officer, Animal Control, Transportation Dept.

Randy Hillenbrand- Division of Family and Children received the OK to go to Council to request another loan – this one for $1.5 million due to lack of funds from assessments and taxes not being completed yet.

Health Dept.- Doug Baer gave update on YES home problems with their mound type septic system. Lorie Howard is approved to sign off on repairs for the commissioners. He also received the OK to use a portion of the Health Dept. space to set up a regional sewer district office with phone and computer. Eric Hartman may provide funding for this from maintenance funds or else it will come from Regional Sewer District funds that Council loaned them.

ELECTION NEWS!
Gayle Pennington, Clerk of Courts- requested moving two voter precincts. Miller 4 at old firehouse in Bright will move to Miller 2, the new firehouse. Lawrenceburg 1 at Central Elementary will move to Lawrenceburg 2 at Tate Street Adult Center. OK’d.

Lorie Howard- County Adm.- reported that Animal Control is checking with the Dearborn County Farm Committee to use additional acreage for the Animal Shelter expansion. She met with Mike Kramer of Pinnacle regarding the Med Ben contract, which looks stable for 2004 and is on target with the budget at this time. They will be offering training on HIPPA (privacy) rules April 13th, which she and several others will be attending. Lorie is also looking through the insurance schedules to be sure coverage is appropriate and not duplicated. They are hiring an intern to help manage the GIS data collected as part of the transportation assessment study. A Computer Use Policy was adopted which she and Lisa Lehner developed. This will address internet issues that have arisen in the county buildings.

GOOD NEWS!!
Lorie presented the 2004 highway priority list including bridges, road slip repair, guard rail installation, maintenance schedules, striping, and paving plans. North Dearborn realignment and White’s Hill top the list.

Lisa Lehner – County Att’y – presented the CMHC lease amendment. The Animal Control ordinance revision with penalties was approved and will be effective upon publication.
Conflict of interest statements were signed off on for Greg Vollmer and Pat Holland for the Sewer Board, though commissioners have not signed off on the other two that are in the clerk’s office (Pat Hanlon and Mike Hankins). All state that they have no conflicts.
Lisa reminded the commissioners that she wants to be involved in the jail expansion project and they are to notify her of meetings etc.
Snow alert ordinance was tabled till Bill Black could be present. Batta wants it coordinated with the tri-states definitions, because of the media announcing it.
Zoning book change tabled till next month. Med Ben agreements signed. Bridge 15 contract with Schneider Corp. needs a scope of services to be attached.

Long discussion on the the Locust Road vacating request- it was subsequently dropped by Mr. King- the applicant. Fire Dept. wants the road to stay open. (Wilmington area)

Commissioners:
Batta brought up the Chamber of Commerce meeting on April 14th where the lobbyist the county council hired is presenting. Apparently there is a fee to go to the talk- and so the county will be in the position of having to pay to hear their own lobbyist. [my note] (already paid for by county tax dollars)
Commissioners are not getting the emailed updates from the lobbyist. Council members are though…
BIG PLANS TO EXPAND COUNTY JAIL!!! (Note- this project is expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars)
Earlier in the meeting Sheriff Lusby presented the commissioners with a proposed agreement with RQAW, the company that designed the original jail. The agreement is to do a study to figure out a scope of work for the jail expansion. The $43,500 fee for the study will be waived by RQAW, IF THEY GET THE DESIGN CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT!!!
Commissioners discussed this further. Batta was opposed to meeting with just RQAW – wants it bid out. Lisa said that by law they are not required to bid contracts for services like this.
Batta was opposed to the arrangement, as it seems that RQAW will be given an unfair advantage over the other bidders ultimately, particularly with their fee waiving arrangement.
Benning stated that RQAW has more experience with our jail and understands the security system.
Shell thought that it would be best to have the meeting in the afternoon still at 2 PM, but to not have RQAW present.
Lorie Howard agreed that it might be CLEANER (fairer) to keep any contractors out of the meeting at this time. [my note –RQAW did not attend the meeting at 2PM.]
Meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM

Christine Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

County Council March 23,2004 Meeting Report

Present members: Mark Mitter, Aaron Negangard, Charlie Fehrman (Chairman), Bill Ullrich, and Tom Cheek. Absent: Dennis Kraus and Bo Lansing.
Cary Pickens, Auditor also present.
Denise Freitag, Register reporter, also covered this meeting.

1. North Dearborn Road realignment. Mike Davis introduced Dick Robertson (also a former hwy director from Boone Cty Indiana) and Matt Taylor, engineering consultants, who gave an update and recommendations on the North Dearborn Road realignment project (estimated cost $1.8 million) that they have worked on since November 2002. This is the area of North Dearborn near McCann Road.
They recommend doing a federal aid project to get more accomplished with less county dollars involved. The downside is that it takes 4-5 years on average to complete a federal project. They intend to have three meetings with the local residents to garner support for the grant and get them involved in the final project design. Larry Smith, a local landowner, has been conferring with them and with the commissioners regarding the alignment and right of way (ROW) around his land.
(NOTE: I recall that nearly two years ago Larry Smith was the owner who originally approached the commissioners about donating some land to realign the roadway there before he does anything more with the land.)
Engineering, surveys and ROW can be included as part of the county match for the federal aid project. Per Mark Seiler, North Dearborn Rd. is the top road needing to be fixed according to the list devised by the Transportation Assessment Study.
Charlie Fehrman encouraged Council to ask questions at this point while he went over to have a private conference (approximately 5 minutes) with Mark, Seiler, Mike Davis, and Lorie Howard at a side table.
Charlie then stated that without going into any details but based on conversation he had with Karen Shell about an hour ago, he wanted to delay it a month. Wanted to know if that would hurt the grant cycle.
Matt Taylor told him that would give them one day to get the grant papers done and submitted.
They agreed to compromise- with the following motion:
Negangard and Ullrich motioned for $30,000 from Fund 203- Special Projects to cover survey work and three public meetings (probably at North Dearborn Library) with the understanding that NO PHYSICAL WORK would start until the commissioners sign off on it. All ayes.

2. Barb Kaffenberger – not present- had requested to be tabled till next month. Charlie substituted Andrea Thalheimer from Dearborn Community Foundation. She presented a check for $74,579.84, which was the county’s investment return from the Dearborn County Quality of Life Endowment Fund (matched by Eli Lilly funds originally) County can spend this as they see fit.

3. BJ Ault- Solid Waste – Needs a $150,000 loan from county to cover the tax revenue they normally receive and haven’t gotten because of reassessment issues and taxes not being collected. They will pay it back in Jan 2005 if taxes get paid out this year. She reported that they received $64,000 in grants last year also.
Tom Cheek reported that he’d called Gayle Snyder at the state to see what the tax problems were and was informed that they were waiting on the Auditor’s certification of assessment. Cary replied that it was the TIF (Tax incremental financing) areas that weren’t adding up and they were working on it.
Charlie said it was permissible to loan money to Solid Waste.
Ullrich and Cheek motioned to table it till next meeting, when Doug Gardiner, Solid Waste Att’y, could draw up the papers leaving the loan amount blank. Cary referenced IC 13-21-3-18 as the basis for the paperwork. All ayes.
BJ Ault also needs to get $165,000 to purchase 10-12 bins to replace Rumpke’s. Ours will be sorted bins. Projected revenue is $36,000 per year to sell our own recyclables. Without paying Rumpke this reduces their costs by $72,000 per year. IDEM grant won’t come in until Jan 2005.
Since out of special projects fund- there is no need to advertise per Cary.
Cheek and Mitter motioned for $165,000 from Fund 203 – Sp. Proj. County will own the bins and lease them to Solid Waste for $1 per month until grant comes in. Then Solid Waste will buy them from the county. Because it’s over $50,000 they will have to get bids. BJ will approach commissioners to get that accomplished. All ayes.
(NOTE : Per Cary $865,000 left in special projects fund.)

4. Council Benevolent Fund:
Daryl Caldwell- Executive Director of Safe Passage (812-933-1910): Batesville shelter for domestic abuse victims (in 5 counties) will be completed in July- 30 + beds and 15,500 sq ft.
Requesting funding as seed money to get a full time presence in Dearborn County to advocate case management, law enforcement, etc. Since there were 490 domestic violence runs in 2003 in our county they are requesting 54% of the seed cost from us - $20,000. Division of Family and Children, SEIOC, Lifetime Resources, Sally Blankenship, Sheriff Lusby, etc are supporters and will use the services. Benevolent Fund is at 0 till the May draw comes in per Cary.
Negangard and Cheek motioned to take the $74,000+ check from the Dearborn County Foundation received earlier this evening and deposit that into the Fund. Then appropriate $20,000 for safe Passages. All ayes.

5. Chris McHenry- County Cemetery Commission-
Lois Harper and Milton Masing accompanied her- request was for $2000 to purchase signs for cemeteries in the county. They selected one per township so far and most were on main roads for easy access for people researching ancestry. The Dearborn County Historical Society will handle the Funds for this officially. Lois Harper will do all the paperwork for free to get the special signage.
Cheek and Ullrich motioned to use the Benevolent Fund for $2,000. All ayes.

6. Cathy Plummer- Aurora Little League- Aurora gave them the land for a baseball/soccer/football field area. They are going to have a removable fence and removable mound. Aurora donated the land and $5,000. Aurora Little League requests $29,700 or at least $18,138. Discussion that this was too much for a predominately municipal league totaling 185 kids. Cheek and Ullrich motioned for $20,000 and then amended it to $15,000. Still not passed. Mitter and Cheek motioned for $10,000 and that passed. Note: they haven’t been to the Community Foundation yet.

7. Mike Davis- County Highway Dept. - Mark Seiler gave out the Transportation Study’s most deficient roadway list. Tom Cheek talked about how much was wasted before on roads when the paving projects didn’t properly prepare the roadbeds etc.
Charlie Fehrman stated that Lorie Howard (cty adm) has a spreadsheet on bridges and roads- and that she’s done a good job on it.
Mike Davis discussed Jim Brickner’s ability to get bridges fixed quickly – in house. Needed some “emergency” funds for this. They said it wasn’t an emergency. Davis replied that “it was a quickie.” They agreed to advertise for $11,000 from cum bridge and put it on April’s agenda. Davis stated that Hwy was $10,000 in the hole for gravel so far and would need about $150,000 for the year total. They also need $32,000 for salt.
They agreed to advertise for $182,000 from the contingency fund to vote on in April’s meeting.
Davis reported that Paul Rohe paving claimed $55,000 in accounts payable for past four years that they never received. They only had about $22,000 in invoices though. They signed a letter of agreement to settle for $21,900. They have improved their invoicing process as a result and the county will do a walk through on each project per Davis.
O'Mara is starting on the work repairing Serenity Ridge. It will cost about $94,000 and the bond is for $85,000.
Cary reported that there was $11,000 in local road and street and the MVHA was out of funds.Thursday he and Lorie Howard are meeting with Prices on White’s hill to try and get the easements and ROW settled for that project.
Davis and others from the county are going to INDOT to present the Transportation Assessment Study on Tuesday next week. They hope to get more $$s added for the roads added to the list.
NOTE: This was supposed to be about 140 miles. It’s really 12 miles more. The consultant mistakenly added in the State highway miles and those don’t count for county road reimbursement. Mitter (who Chairs the Plan Commission) reported on this fact at the end of the meeting.

8. Lorie Howard- County Administrator – Requested consensus from Council that it intended to proceed when she lets out the RFP for computer services for the Adm Bldg.
Five people sit on the committee- Travis Miller, Mary Weseman, Jessica Tibbs, Shelly Moorman, and Stephanie Disbro. Plans to award by April 29th. Pricing and scope of work are separate.
Negangard won’t agree to anything- stated that Lorie’s good, but Commissioner’s have the ultimate control and they can ignore recommendations etc. Rehashed the Proware issues in detail and then said he though the RFP was overkill.
Lorie responded that she could discuss his concerns further off-line. She stated, “We need to take a multi-million dollar company (i.e. the county) into the 21st century.” We have to become much more computer savvy.
Charlie said she still needs our OK to proceed. They OK’d it with no commitment as to dollars.
Lorie wants to use the $5,000 that was appropriated for her job in January (before she was hired) and use it to pay Wanda Treadway for her Thursday and vacation coverage on the front desk. They will prepare a memo and look into that.

9. Clean up items: Charlie Fehrman NOTE: These items below were note on the agenda.

Exclude Solid Waste from COIT funds. Ullrich and Mitter motioned- all ayes

Health Dept. flu serum order- costs doubled $4493. Mitter and Ullrich motioned – all ayes.

Mental Health - $182,000 not paid in 2002 (Commissioner error per Cary). Cheek and Mitter motioned- all ayes.

Revote on GPS units from last month- needed a majority of the board – not a majority of the quorum. Mitter and Ullrich motioned for $1500 for 5 units. Cheek voted this month to make the 4 votes needed with Fehrman. Negangard still Nay. Passed.

Unencumbered Funds When they (Charlie and Cary) consolidated the unencumbered funds they put anything possible related to highway into 203 Special Projects. However he found the Impact fund with $640,000 in it and it now stands at $947,000 per Cary. He doesn’t know where to move that- and wants them to think about it for April’s meeting. Tabled till then.

10. Emergency Services Funding- (on the agenda)
There is $70,395 in this fund.
Bright EMS wants $40,000, Dillsboro EMS wants $10,000, and Hogan VFD wants $10,000. Water Rescue answer on the underwater cameras still not back to Charlie from L-bg and Argosy.
Mitter suggested that they table these items until they find out what each entity has gotten so far – to be fair.

11. Minutes were OK’d from February- Cheek abstained because he was absent last month.

12. Negangard reported that he attended the L-bg School Foundation meeting and found out that in their reorganization last year they eliminated the county council representative. He is therefore NOT on that Board.

Meeting adjourned 11:15 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township.

Meeting of the Manchester Area Civic Assn.

The next meeting of the Manchester Area Civic Association will be Thursday, March 25, at 7:00 p.m., in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church of Manchester.

Our agenda includes discussion of:

• 2004 Candidate Night - an opportunity to meet the candidates and learn the issues that will drive the primary elections in May.
  
  
• MACA sponsored Manchester Scholarship Program - consideration of a local area scholarship award.
  
  
• Spring Clean up Day - how MACA can help create an opportunity to clean up our neighborhood.
  
  
• Update on Alternate Highway 101 - still in the works or a dead issue?
  
  
• Sewer Board Update by Pat Hanlon - how will Manchester be affected? Sewers in our future?
  

Please come join us.
Manchester Area Civic Association

Future Sewer District Areas Detailed

Dearborn County citizens be aware. Now that the Sewer District is in place, per a Dearborn County commissioner the process for the next areas can be accomplished much more quickly, in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

There are four other areas already indicated in the GRW study. They are as follows:

1. New Alsace

The area is along North Dearborn Road from St. Leon west to Lawrenceville Road, north on Lawrenceville Road to above State Highway 46 at Lawrenceville, south on Lawrenceville Road to and including Weisburg and south on York Ridge Road from North Dearborn Road to Yorkville. The areas form a corridor along the highways widening at the village areas.

2. Wrights Corner, Kyle and Manchester

This area starts on State Route 48 at Lawrenceburg and extends northwest along State Route 48 to Manchester, through Wrights Corner and Kyle. It also extends up Greenbrier Road into Wrights Corner.

3. Wilmington, Mt. Sinai and Sparta

This area starts on State Route 350 at Aurora and extends northwest to Moores Hill. It is also a corridor along SR 350 only.

4. Guilford

This area starts at Greendale/Hidden Valley Lake area and extends along State Route 1 up into Guilford.

The original fourth area is now the current Dearborn County Sewer district along US 50 from Aurora to Dillsboro.

Most of the corridors pick up the main roads from town to town along the main highways where years previously the zoning has been changed to residential. They do not infill either areas in the county. In Dearborn County residential zoning permits up to 4 houses per acre with adequate sewage facilities. The addition of sewer systems in these corridors would greatly enhance the ability of these areas to be developed with high density residential subdivisions.

A copy of the GRW study and 20 year plan map were available at the Lawrenceburg Public Library.

If you are concerned about this issue, you need to look into it now or you may not have a chance.

Ralph Thompson
Citizen in the newly formed Dearborn County Sewer District.

Dearborn County Regional Sewer District Meeting 16 March 2004

DC Regional Sewer Board Meeting
16 March 2004 7PM
Register reporter Denise Freitag was present- watch the paper for her story in the next week or so .

Present: Mike Hankins Chairman (Left for about half the meeting to deliver a baby at the hospital and then returned to Chair meeting), Pat Hanlon (Chaired meeting during Hankins absence), Pat Holland, Rodney Dennerline, and Brett Fehrman. Lisa Lehner, Att’y and Doug Baer, Health Dept. Absent: Barry Pruss and Greg Vollmer.

No printed agenda prepared.

Waived the reading of the previous meting minutes- they were verbatim transcribed and were nearly 3 inches thick in a binder! It was decided to do abbreviated minutes with a tape for all future meetings. Minute taker was absent and there was no tape for this meeting. Hankins even went so far as to ask me to take their minutes- I declined and told them they needed an unbiased minute taker in THEIR employ and that I wouldn’t necessarily be at all their meetings.
Vera Benning, Special Advisor, took minutes.

Joe Tierney of GRW told them the engineering and environmental reports were completed. He gave a draft copy of 10 FAQ (frequently asked questions) and the draft responses to them. (Newspaper has a copy of these) Of the homes in the district 82% were 150 ft. or less to the ROW, 13% were 150-400 ft. and 5% were greater than 400 ft. Grinder pumps and pipe are at the district’s expense- it is prorated into the cost of the sewer bill. Homeowner’s costs will include: electric service and outside disconnect switch, abandoning the septic tank, annual electric costs ($15-24/yr), any pipe greater than150 ft., and $500-$1000 connection fee. The sewer district will maintain the grinder pump. Easements are required and they want them DONATED to save costs to the district. Whatever has to be paid for will be passed to the sewer users. If a pump station is installed on a person’s property - they WILL pay for that easement. If a septic system is 5 yrs old or less you can delay hook-up for up to 3 yrs, but then costs will increase. Monthly bills for all are estimated to be $55-65 per month. Electric setup for grinders $500-1500.

Tierney spent a large amount of time responding to the comment letters on the Dearborn County Public Forum site. In dissecting the numbers he refuted the costs and talked about why some of the solutions proposed are infeasible. He then discussed the hookup costs for each of the three sections of the district.
NOTE: For some reason the costs are LOWER on Cole Lane than on Stewart Lane or the main district area. The other two areas cost $7,700 and $7,800 respectively and Cole Lane is $4500! If grant money is being evenly distributed and the owner pays costs of extra pipeline, why is this number different?

At the end of the meeting Dennerline told me that his trailer park on Cole Lane is already on Aurora sewer, but that he's switching it to the County District lines and it'll COST him $4500. I asked why switch? He said so that he wouldn't have to maintain the lines. I reiterated that he needed to fill out a conflict of interest statement.

Dennerline stated that he hated for the public to be mislead by this engineer on the website who obviously hasn’t studied Indiana law… At his request, Doug Baer quoted IC 13-18-12-9 – the law on discharge permits. Also quoted were the costs of drip systems and recirculated media filters running $15-20,000 for residential, which is equal to the sewer costs.

Pat Hanlon played devil’s advocate and led the discussion regarding the alternatives for sewers such as treatment after the lagoon at High Ridge. Apparently the NPDES permit has been revoked from High Ridge’s private plant. The sewer district operates under an IDEM permit because they are incorporated. Lynne Newlon from IDEM joined in this discussion.

Also discussed was that the sewer board should have a maintenance program and see that all private and cluster systems are checked. Hanlon stated that he wants to investigate every potential to have a cost effective and well-engineered system.


GRW presented a draft letter to Randy Turner at Aurora to see if the district can go thru Aurora. They are also checking with Dillsboro as an option or the final option is building their own plant. A proposed site choice would be at Walston Mobile Home Park’s existing site, which is the low cost option per Joe Tierney of GRW.
NOTE: Does GRW get the contract to design and/or build the new plant?
Costs to consider are the number of miles of transport to the plants (pipe and pump stations) and the treatment cost that is quoted from Aurora and/or Dillsboro.

As to easements: of 107 questioned, 30 said yes, 47 said no, 5 didn’t know, and 19 didn’t answer.

Lynne Newlon talked about the volunteers who were going to go door to door to get the free easements so that would benefit all the users. She recommended that they get Connie Stevens (sp?) the mgr. of South Henry Regional Sewer District to come talk to them and give them some by-laws to help jump-start the board. They can’t get a DOC (Dept. of Commerce) loan until all the easements are in place. But she recommends getting in line for the loan anyway- because money is tighter this year. DOC got less than they’d hoped for.

Rural Development is the other funding source – pre applications are in Jan and July. Formal apps are in April and September.
Joe Tierney wants to pursue the Rural Dev. Application and get things done as quickly as possible. Board response was that they want to take the time to try to do it right.

A citizen in the audience- Dave ??? last name expressed a problem with the open easements that they were given. Two lawyers told him NOT to sign it - it gave away too many rights. Lisa Lehner was going to discuss it after the meeting with him - but the board wanted to do it in public, since it was an issue that many people had and the easements were a necessary step to the timeline. Since they were trying to get a general easement for everyone, surveys couldn’t be done- plus expensive. The thought was that they could put statements in as to the actual purpose and restrict the easement only to the owner’s specific service line. Lisa and Joe Tierney are going to “fix” the easement language.

Vera Benning, the special advisor, gave a report on her 6PM meeting with her special advisory board of 10 people that she asked to have accepted by the Sewer board. Last names were: Elliot, Hegge (official minute taker), Weatherford, Manford (Fehrman Realty), Fisher, Maxfield, Lawrence, Phister )sp?), Zeton )sp?) and Fehr. Their MISSION is to each take a road and get the necessary easements. They raised lots of concerns and questions and got some answers. Lisa Lehner stated that this adv. Board has to adhere to the Sunshine Law and publicize their meetings and make them open to the public.

Gene Rogers of Umbaugh and Assoc. is handling the Sewer finances. He commented that the Rural Dev Loan is better because you get 40 years to pay it back.

Vera and Doug Baer reported that L-bg Council was open to their request for money and advised them to seek out help with the Community Foundation and the Bond Bank as well. They are to come back with more info next meeting.

Doug Baer reported on the current financial situation of the board:
1. $125,000 loan from County Council of which about $50,000 will be “forgiven” is being used up – they need to be aware of this. (lawyers, consultants, meeting costs, transcription, new phone line, letterhead, etc. etc)
2. Lisa Lehner and Joe Tierney are paid up to 3/16.
3. Need to talk about staffing to hire for their district.
4. Purchase of liability and bond insurance from Seitz approved that night. The sewer board is an individual gov’t unit and can’t be covered under the health dept. or county’s umbrella.
Dennerline stated that the county was sued for not aggressively pursuing sewage problems and won, but now it’s in appellate court??????

Tom Kent and Bill Yelton are being considered for the excavation contracts per Dennerline. Kent was present.

Brett Fehrman and Pat Hanlon met with Scott Fortner and the President of Dillsboro Town Council to discuss cost estimates of hooking on to their service. Dillsboro plans to have a grant in June and bids by Aug to Sept on the expanded plant that will hold 500,000 gal flow design as opposed to the 170,000 they now have.
Base fee was $11.75 per month and with an estimated 4,000 gal user the cost would be $29.47 per month. Approx. 3 miles to their new pump station for county access.

Per Lisa Lehner: Be aware that Gene Rogers of Umbaugh also works for Dillsboro so he shouldn’t be privy to our negotiations with them probably.

Pat Hanlon read the petitions and thought the comments were good. Many were about affordability and having currently working systems. He offered to give a Sewage Treatment 101 talk at the board’s request. He will give a 10-minute one at the next meeting.

Lisa Lehner provided sample by-laws to help the board adopt some soon. Additionally, she advised that the state atty general is being sought for an opinion in addition to the State Board of Acc’ts opinion on the conflict of interest statements.
Note: I called and only 2 are turned in so far- Mike Hankins and Pat Hanlon per Gayle Pennington at the Clerk’s Office on 3/16.

It was decided that the board will meet at least twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7PM. Next meeting April 6th.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM

Christine Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

15 March 2004 Commissioners Meeting

Karen Shell was absent due to illness. Dan Batta arrived shortly after 8 PM. Vera Benning ran the meeting with reports only until Dan Batta arrived for a quorum to be present. Cary Pickens (Auditor) and Lisa Lehner (Cty Att’y) were present.

1. Emergency Management- Bill Black- CERT informational meeting Tues at Tate St. Adult Center. Attended Flood seminar in Indy, looking into the 800 MgHz radio system for the county emergency with part of a $50K grant. Weather tests from Nat’l Weather Service will be this Wednesday. Will get Karen Shell’s signature for the grant application he’s holding.

2. Transportation – Mike Davis – Reported on hwy crews doing hand patching, ditching, grading, guard rail replacements, and culvert replacements. New computer for GIS and transportation inventory is set up. DNR (John Hall) to come down and go over some of the creeks and flood issues this week. Settled up the back billing with Rohe Paving for around $21,000. Base coats being applied to Cole Lane, and some of the other roads in D-3. Tabled the Locust Road vacating issue until certified letters to the adjoiners with the complete legal description of the land vacated have been verified.

3. Health Dept. – Doug Baer- Regional Sewer District Report – 2/18 informational meeting and 2/26 (Aurora) easement meeting and 3/2 (Dillsboro) easement meetings were held. Dillsboro meeting was not as well attended as the Aurora one. Needed some money for the project so he and Vera Benning attended the Lawrenceburg Council meeting tonight and made their request for bond bank money or ... Lawb’g asked them to return with further information. Official Sewer Board meetings are the third Tues of every month at 7 PM. The “Sewer Advisory Board” will meet at 6PM. (This was questioned at the end of the meeting during public comment- I was told by Vera Benning that they were a 10 member board that will “help with easements,” report on their particular road, and support the sewer district concept. They have no vote. They are volunteers and then are “selected” to serve. It was unclear as to WHO selects or directs this advisory board. Commissioner Benning is a Special advisor to the sewer board and reported that she is a liaison between them and the commissioners.)

4. Prosperity Road Damage (Caesar Creek Township)- no one showed up

5. County Administrator – Lorie Howard – Insurance renewals for the county, Draft RFPs going out for Tech Review, Storage in the jail (went on a walk thru with Sheriff Lusby), Thursday 3/18 at 7PM the Transportation Study final report is being given at the Tate Street Adult Center.
Dan Stropes and Alan Cornelius were appointed to the Historic Hoosier Hills.
Snow Alert Ordinance was tabled.

6. County Att’y – Lisa Lehner – CMHC grant – looking to bond bank for $$s and a grant. Made notes on County Personnel policy proposal for commissioners to look over. GASB-34 reviewed - accounting rules on inventory of assets etc. for the Auditor to set up. Per Cary- another UNFUNDED state mandate. Required for bonding etc. Reviewed the rules on county projects- if over $100,000 they have to be bid out- can’t be performed in-house. (related to the Bridge 15 project over Laughery Creek near Bell’s Branch)

7. Auditor – Claims paid – none related to lobbyist yet- question raised by Dan Batta.

Meeting adjourned 8:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Comments on the Economics of the Proposed Sewer System

The sewer system as proposed by GRW for the area of the District west of Huesman Road has a projected price of 5.8 million dollars. For 303 houses that amounts to $19,140 per house. Even allowing for the 20% additional capacity to bring the total to 364 houses, the cost per house is $15,934. And if the top capacity number is exceeded the package treatment will require additional units and the piping will require up sizing.

A fully functional small treatment plant at each house, which produces virtually clean effluent can be installed for approximately$12,000 and the total project cost can be reduced by not replacing already up to date or functional systems.

The area of the current problem, Highridge estates per the GRW report has 45 houses. A medium size package treatment plant can be installed in the line to the existing lagoon with minimal disruption. Per the GRW report a package treatment plant for all 303 houses would cost $130,000. If a plant of that size were installed for Highridge Estates the average cost per house would be $2,889. Since the number of houses is less than one sixth of the total number (303) it would permit the use of a smaller plant. Even allowing that the plant would be half the cost in lieu of one sixth, the cost per house would $1,444.

These costs should give an idea of options to consider as opposed to just following the single option presented in the GRW report.


Ralph Thompson

Open Letter to the Commissioners - Emergency Services

TO: Dearborn County Commissioners
SJ: Emergency Services


Dear Commissioners:

There is a situation in Dearborn County that I find extremely troubling. On Tuesday, Feb. 17 my son was hurt at the Manchester Elementary School. He fell against a brick wall. He was bleeding profusely and was unconscious. The school nurse began to administer aid and the school secretary dialed 911. There was a wait of 55 MINUTES before the ambulance arrived at the elementary school.

Response times of this magnitude are UNACCEPTABLE. This is not Hooterville anymore, the area needs some professional, paid, ambulance services. At the very least the schools need to have a contract with an ambulance service that operates during normal school hours. How can Dearborn County entertain the idea of being a major, metropolitan area in which families would like to reside and have this kind of emergency response system? Why would we even discuss homeland security and protection from terrorist attacks when we can't get an ambulance to an elementary school in under 55 minutes? Please provide some feedback on this most vital issue. Is anyone addressing the appalling situation?

Thank You.


Loretta Ferro Lipps

County Commissioners March 1st Meeting

The March 1 Commissioner meeting was over in 50 minutes- a record short meeting.
All three Commissioners were present along with the Auditor, County Attorney, and the new County Administrator (Lorie Howard).
Veteran’s Service Officer (Bill Ewbank) reported that the transportation service would be available up to three times a week beginning in March.
Planning and Zoning received approval for the member list for the Housing Assessment Study Steering Committee. Their first meeting is 3/10 at 6 PM in the Adm. Bldg.
Animal Control (Cheryl Lohmiller) turned in their annual report for 2003 – noting that 1042 dogs came in and 456 were rescued. 667 cats came in and about 20 were rescued. Currently there are 42 dogs and 22 cats at the shelter.
Emergency Management (Bill Black) noted that March 14-20 was Severe Weather Awareness Week. They received a $50,000 grant for Project Hoosier Safety and the Communications Board will probably serve as the committee to decide how it will be used. They are also getting a free automatic defibrillator for the “Sunman area” of the county.
Transportation (Mike Davis) reported that all three districts were working on pothole repair. The slips in the county are beginning to be addressed. Vandalism was reported at the D-3 site. Fences will be added to that and District 1 per County Zoning regulations. Council approved $80,000 for striping, but to do all the main roads about $136,000 is actually needed. Some in house work is being done by the bridge crew to save money. Pre- engineered bridges are being supplied by CPI, Inc.
Vacate Locust Road (David King (citizen) and Mike Davis)- Legal description obtained, need to get certified letter to adjoining property owners. Tabled till next meeting.
Lifetime Resources – release of lien and Safe Passages Advocacy program for abused spouses and families- no one showed for the meeting to present either issue.
County Administrator (Lorie Howard)- Art Exhibit will be at the Courthouse for 3 weeks. Working on delineating the computer services for just the Adm. Bldg. There are space issues in each department. Looking into the possibility of CD-rom and microfiche storage and putting it into next year’s budget to alleviate storage issues. Reviewing the Transportation Plan with Mike Davis and Mark Seiler to obtain a road priority list. Requested that she be given copies of all contracts that are out for the county, to oversee them.
Minutes were tabled to be reviewed.
Claims paid.
Lobbyist will be paid quarterly- no claims for lobbyist yet. Lobbyist reports will now be emailed to the commissioners- they have not been receiving any of them. The Jewell DuBonis lobbyist ( Lewis and Kappes) was the contract signed by commissioners. The second lobbyist contract was with County Council.
Personnel policy was revised. Per Cary Pickens it was pretty much a carbon copy of the one from Clinton County.
Vera Benning- reported on the Sewer Board Meeting that went from 7-10:30. Approximate attendance was 100-120 people. Major worries were the costs of the system. A group is going with Vera Benning to Lawrenceburg to request some aid from Lawrenceburg (Riverboat Revenue). Citizen petitions were presented at the sewer meeting.
Adjourned 10:20 AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

February 24 County Council Meeting Update

At the February 24 Council meeting – in 4 hours the following additional appropriations occurred:
1. Dillsboro Civic Ass’n (Dave Wendelman)- $2000 toward the Homecoming Festival- same as last year.
2. Clerk of Courts (Gayle Pennington)- $500 appropriated from county general toward computer maintenance agreement of $1000 total for Midwest Data Services. The clerk stated Midwest Data charges nearly $298 for the first hour of support if you do not have a service contract. She will get the remaining $500 from their Repair line item.
3. Lorie Howard, the new County Administrator, is preparing a proposal for IT to present to the commissioners at their regular Thurs morning administration meeting. When asked if this appropriation would interfere with the IT plans being presented, Commissioner Benning reiterated several times that it would be no problem to for the Clerk to have her support contract with Midwest Data. Midwest Data built the clerk’s voter registration server.
4. Sheriff Lusby- received $80,000 from county general to cover the medical expenses and prescriptions for inmates at the jail. Last year they spent $138,000 on prescriptions alone. Apparently $15,000 from the pension fund may be returning to the county- it was over appropriated last year.
5. Solid Waste (BJ Ault) requested a property tax rate increase from .0103/$100 to .034/$100. The state average is .068/$100. The request is based on the growth in the county and resulting needs for recycling. Council voted to table this item until they could see exactly what the property tax assessment would be for Dearborn County. Deadline is May 1 for Solid Waste to get their request to the state.
6. Transportation Dept.- (Mike Davis) – March 18th 7PM at Tate St. is the final presentation of the Transportation Assessment study- all invited. $48,000 came back to account 203 (special projects). Because of extra road miles, $4,000 was appropriated to pay for the assessment of those extra road miles.
$4000 was appropriated for an extra computer and the training of one person who can then train the others on the use of the GIS based system for road inventory.
$1500 was appropriated for 5 GIS handheld units to keep the inventory updated. Health Dept. and Planning and Zoning and Building can also use units. The vote on this item will need to be redone at the next meeting- it requires a majority of the whole board and only got 3 votes instead of 4 required. (Negangard and Kraus wanted less units- thinking that the staff could drive back and pick them up as needed)
$18,000 was appropriated from 203 special projects fun to repair the slip on Pinhook Rd. Other roads need to be itemized and prioritized before Council will approve. Some bridge kits are being utilized with in-house installation in order to save money. CPI Culverts is supplying the engineering for “free” and then selling the county the bridge.
Charlie Fehrman stated that he and Cary Pickens last year wiped out a bunch of old unspent money and put it into county general…
State inspector found a buried tank at the highway garage. $4240 appropriated from 203 – special projects- to remove the tank using a certified inspector.
7. Planning- (Travis Miller) tabled from last month- took nearly 40 minutes of discussion- but finally received approval (one Nay from Kraus) from 203 special projects fund for $21,400 for software to unite the data sharing for 4 offices (Planning and Zoning, Health, Hwy, and Bldg. Inspector). This will eventually lead to one stop shopping for people seeking permits.
Approval also to sell burned CDs of zoning and subdivision ordinances for #10 total.
Approval also of a fee schedule increase for tech review on certain certified surveys.
8. Water Rescue (Steve Jackson) $3200 for equipment to locate underwater prior to diving was denied- Charlie to seek aid from Argosy and Lawrenceburg instead.
9. Conquerors Boy’s Club (Dan Weisbrod) approved $2440 for equipment (tabled from last month.
10. Health Dept. (Doug Baer)- approval to hire employee at $32,900 – and continue that salary into 2005. Baer to write up salary ordinance for entire dept.- needed to be signed next month.
11. South Dearborn Babe Ruth (Dave Burris) – no money granted for JV field repair at South Dearborn or for Dillsboro Field. He’s to check with the school and also with the Park Board.
12. Manchester Athletic Ass’n (Steve Wolfer)- $2400 for fence to keep kids from running into County Farm Road during baseball games.
13. Charlie Fehrman reported that Haag Ford is prepping leased cars for the sheriff department for $200 each rather than the $400 they previously had done. This is to keep business local rather than driving two deputies to Indy each time and paying for all that to get the “free” preps.
14. $1580 approved to clean up the personnel manual.
15. A second shared lobbyist was hired. County share is $56,200 and the municipalities share the other $56,200. The entire amount is appropriate from the county and the reimbursements get paid back to the county from the municipalities. (One nay from Mitter)
16. Commissioners received additionals for gas, mileage, oil lube, repair, tires, and travel. Total $15,605.24
17. Aaron Negangard asked to be appointed to the Lawrenceburg School Foundation and was approved.
18. Negangard reported that the 3rd court requested was killed in House Ways and Means. He is to head up a committee now to look into extra space or building and the costs for adding more prosecutors and staff for this court if it gets granted eventually.
Adjourned 11:40 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

A Response to Many Questions - Many Answers To Be Sought

Mr. Thompson:

We will take the time to do our best. Hopefully that will mean we do it correctly. I have not seen the 1994 study for the proposed sewers. I would like to. I did not see your guest column in the Register. I would like to. I am not aware of the petition of the citizens within the proposed Sewer District. I would like to and they were not presented. I have read the Indiana Code IC 13-26, and I have questions about it as it applies to me and the Sewer District. I sat next to Brett Fehrman but did not have a chance to discuss his solution, nor know to ask him for one. My letter as to my Conflict of Interest was on file at the Commissioners office prior to my appointment. The official document required will be on file with the County Clerk before the next meeting. Your concern about Ms. Vera Benning may be founded, I don't know, but she is an advisor to this board with no vote. Her input, as well as yours, will be considered, and I intend to not be influenced more by one than the other.

I know more about wastewater treatment than 99.9% of the people in Dearborn County. I have 50 years experience in the business. I try to keep up with the current issues in the County. I am aware of the limitations of small treatment plants and how to remedy those issues. I am familiar with the surrounding counties and states position on package sewage plants. I know nothing of the Gabbard development. I will inquire.

As for the retired residents, who you say cannot afford to pay for the monthly fee, I don't have an answer for that. It is obvious that the Federal Government, the USEPA, and the State of Indiana, as well as the Sierra Club, Ducks Unlimited and all the other concerned environmental advocates feel that EVERYONE needs to pay their fair share to protect our environment from degradation by the viruses, nutrients and bacteria that are discharged from untreated sewage. We did not make the laws, although we agree with them, and choose to abide by them, they are for the betterment of all.

It is my intention to explore expanding this Sewer District to a County wide organization so as to serve the whole County. There are many complicated issue that must be addressed. I am not aware of your proposed countywide sewer district plan. I would like to see it. I am also not aware of the Planning Advisory Committee activity, but I will be soon.

You ask a lot of questions, good questions. How about some solutions to the REAL issue, how do we keep from degrading the environment and keep everyone happy? Septic tanks are reasonable, if they are maintained, but therein lies the problem. Everyone wants to flush their john and forget about it, especially if it is going to cost more money. I am, also, aware that everyone, EVERYONE has an agenda in this issue.

Please be aware, I am not commenting as a spokesman of or as the official position of the Dearborn County Regional Sewer District.


Pat Hanlon
Member of the Dearborn County Regional Sewer District

Citizen Dialog with the Sewer Board continues

Mr. Hanlon:

I hope you take all the time you need to do this correctly.

Have you seen the 1994 study for the proposed sewer projects along the thoroughfares from the municipal areas? This should be available at the Lawrenceburg library. This is what the current project is taken from. The updated study was only available at Doug Baer's office in lieu of a public forum (like the library) and only then because of the efforts of Stepanie DisBro and only on the last day for public comment.

Have you read the guest column I wrote in the Register Publications?

Are you aware of the 150+ petitions by citizens of the currently constituted Sewer District presented to the commissioners at the second Commissioners' meeting in January after the District was constituted? They were not presented at the last meeting in December before the district was constituted, because that Monday evening meeting was postponed at the last minute to the Thursday afternoon following when most of the citizens were not available. These are allegedly on file with the auditor and were to have been presented to the Board for its first meeting.

Have you read Indiana Code IC 13-26 relating to the formation, functions, duties and powers of a sewer district?

Have you talked to Brett Fehrman about his proposed solution to the problem?

I checked with Gayle Pennington, County Clerk, Friday to see if any Conflict of Interest forms had been filed as required by Karen Shell. As of Friday none have been.

The citizens of the district have a concern about Vera Benning's involvement in any form because of past actions by her that have been uncooperative, overbearing and in direct contradiction to statements made by her and the other two Commissioners. Please talk to Commissioner Karen Shell.

Have you looked beyond the limited set of options and out of hand dismissals of options in the GRW report? Are you aware that the proposed system is similar to that already in place at Walstons Mobile Home Park, that is not in compliance on a regular basis and as late as November of 2003? (The current reporting is only available through December 2003). The proposed system is also similar to that of Hidden Valley Lake. You should check with them to see about their current problems and the plan to extend a line to Greendale to eliminate the package plant requirement.

You might also want to look at the problems of Butler and Warren (and Clermont) counties in Ohio with regard to development and utilities, including sewers. This proposed system will allow development of the Gabbard estate (and others) at up to four houses per acre. I was told repeatedly by Ms. Benning (on the record of several public meetings) that this was not about development. I told the Commissioners at the Commissioners' meeting the property was sold pending the incorporation of the sewer district. After the District was in place, Mr. Dennerline indicated at the first January Commissioners meeting, that the property had been sold to a developer.

Are you aware that a number of retired residents, who have their houses paid, will be facing a tap in fee and a monthly bill that they may not be able to afford? You may want to look at the petitions and contact some of the citizens affected.

You should also determine where this District can function. Is it only in the district? (Read IC 13-26).

Are you aware of a proposal I submitted to all the Commissioners for a real countywide sewer district?

Are you aware of the Planning Advisory Committee meetings taking place now, regarding among other things land use? (Greg Vollmer and Brett Fehrman are also participating in these meetings).

I wish you luck in resolving a "hot" issue.

I would be glad to meet with you to discuss any of these issues (or any others for that matter) as would a number of other citizens of the area.

If you wish further information or have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

Ralph Thompson, PE

The County Ballot for May 2004 Primary

The following are the names on the county ballot at the close of election sign ups on Friday Feb 20. All are Republicans.

District 1 Commissioner- Karen Shell (incumbent) vs. Jeff Hughes

District 2 Commissioner- Mark Hall vs. Rick Fox

Council at large (3 to be elected) - Mark Mitter (incumbent), Charlie Fehrman (incumbent), Bill Ullrich (incumbent), and Brad Schwing

Treasurer- Gayle Pennington (current clerk) vs. Amanda Pennington (former recorder)

Clerk- Phil Weaver (current treasurer)

County Surveyor- Dennis Kraus, Jr. vs. Roger Woodfill (incumbent)

Coroner- Wesley Holt

Report from the Sewer Board

Mr. Thompson:

I am Pat Hanlon, member of the Dearborn County Regional Sewer District. I was in attendance of the first, what I would call "an organizational", meeting of the DCRSD. I can't tell by the tone of your article if you were there of not. If you were we heard different information.

First, Rodney Dennerline did not have Vera Benning appointed. He offered a proposal to the Board and the Board vote to accept Vera as consultant. Vera accepted and was an observer with little to say at the first meeting and with absolutely no voting rights then or in the future. Doug Bear proceeded to layout all that has been accomplished in the recent past.

There is a sense of urgency due to availability of government funding, and the real issue, the impact of environmental degradation. You allude to proceeding without investigating the study. This totally false. I made it a point twice that we will be evaluating options before any decision is made, at least by me, on what is the most appropriate and/or most cost effective option. I did not hear 100% participation was necessary. It is obviously desirable to have 100% in order to keep the cost per household as low as possible, but it is not necessary. I'm not sure what "grants" are but what I heard was land owners would have the opportunity to participate initially, as well as householders.

As for who is in charge, I am certain that on this Board Mr. Dennerline will have one vote like all the rest of the members and that Ms. Benning will never have a vote while she is in the position she is in.

I don't know all there is to know on this subject yet, but I will assure you it is my intention to arrive at a win/win solution for everyone. We are not going to make everyone happy. Progress is sometimes painful. Give us an opportunity to get grounded and up to speed, and continue to comment.

I would like to meet you. You obviously have some credentials. Let's talk at the next meeting.


Pat Hanlon
Manchester Area Civic Association

Open Letter to the Commissioners

In the first board meeting, Rodney Dennerline had Vera Benning appointed as special consultant to the board. The board was then told that 90% of the residents are for the sewer system as proposed (the petitions were not presented).

They are proceeding with Stewart Road and Cole Lane. They are also proceeding with the proposed system without investigating the study (as was discussed in the Commissioners' meeting). Per Doug Baer they need to proceed to get the easements in place, 100% participation is required and while the are not planning to require residents living more than 800 feet from the line to connect, they will not tell them, because they need 100% participation to pay for the system. Also land owners (without houses) will not be listed apparently, even though they will probably be able to obtain a dead-end tap for future. They have no grants.

Who is governing Dearborn County? Are the Commissioners in charge or is it Benning/Dennerline? In the Commissioner's meeting Dennerline was reprimanded for proceeding without authority; but, seems to be back on track. The Commissioners indicated there would not be a Commissioner on the Board, so now we have a "quasi" board position? Was any of what the Commissioners told the citizens at the Commissioners' meeting true or accurate?

Respectfully,

Ralph E. Thompson, Jr., PE, CPE, NSPE

YMCA proposal/request at Bright Meadows Park

At the Feb. 11 monthly meeting of the County Parks Board representatives of the YMCA presented a proposal for the establishment of a YMCA facility on two acres of land adjacent to Bright Meadows Park at the corner of State Line and Einsel Rd. in Bright. In exchange for easement for access and utilities, the YMCA has offered to add parking in the park in the area furthest from State Line road (the back of the park), perform ordinary maintenance (mowing, grooming sports fields, trash management, open and close bathrooms, etc), and provide a single point of contact for scheduling the use of park facilities. The advantages to the YMCA in this matter are clear, allowing their patrons to have access to park acreage for jogging, organized sports, etc. without having to dedicate funds to purchasing additional land and making the appropriate improvements.

This proposal is in it's earliest stages of consideration. The Park board is, however, inclined to look favorably on this arrangement, as it will increase use of the park by citizens of Bright in particular and Dearborn County in general, as well as expand the range of options available to people engaged in the sort of activities the park naturally promotes. The board intends to retain the right to direct the YMCA in matters concerning scheduling of the park to ensure that citizens continue to have unimpeded access to use of the park without regard to their association or lack of same with the YMCA.

What is your view on this arrangement? Is this a naturally synergy that should be encouraged or an unacceptable entanglement of public facilities with private (albeit non-profit) operations? Do you think the YMCA will manage use of park facilities (ball fields, picnic shelters, etc.) appropriately?

Unfortunately, County administration has not yet established any e-mail accounts for use by the Board for feedback to the members on issues such as this. Therefore, please post your reactions using the 'Comments' link below (or submit your own article!!). Thank You.


Steve Walker
Dearborn County Park Board
Steward for Gladys Russell Park
Manchester Township

Commissioners Make Sewer Board Appointments

At the Feb 2, 2004 Monday Morning Commissioner Meeting, Health Board Chairman Rodney Dennerline recommended that commissioners appoint Vera Benning to the Sewer Board citing that the current Sewer district was in her Commissioner district.

Commissioner Karen Shell thought that the board should not be political and didn't want any commissioner appointed to that. She wanted to use the commissioner designee option.

Following some discussion, wherein Commissioner Benning reasserted her request to be appointed (citing her work to get the district in place and efforts shepherding the GRW consultants through the process of getting it set up), the commissioners made their two remaining appointments.

Commissioner Dan Batta made the motion to appoint Pat Hanlon from Manchester as the District 2 representative (term ends 12/31/2004) and Pat Holland from Sparta as the Commissioner designee (term ends 12/31/2006). Chairman Karen Shell seconded the motion, because commissioner Benning would not. It passed two to one, with Vera Benning voting Nay. She did wish the two chosen "Godspeed."

The commissioners revoted the District 3 rep - Barry Pruss - to make it "legal" because the original vote was at a meeting where one of the commissioners was present on speakerphone. Vera Benning commented that her choice, Barry Pruss, may not want to be on the board now as he has been medically advised to avoid stress.

That means this appointment may need to be changed...


Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

MACA Recomends Appointee to Sewer Board from District 2

A county wide sewer system may be far in the future but planning for it is starting now. Each district of the county should be represented by someone who lives in the district. District 2 is lucky enough to have an expert on sewage treatment living in the district. His name is Pat Hanlon (not to be confused with Patrick Holland from Sparta). Pat has been part of the backbone of the Manchester Area Civic Association (MACA) since its inception. MACA was his idea and he is an active member and past president.

I think he would make a perfect member of the Sewer Board and, knowing his dedication to the welfare of Dearborn County, I believe he would accept an appointment to the Board. How do we go about pressing the case for his appointment?

Sue Weldon
President, MACA