The Pulaski County Commissioners will continue discussing plans to move the Emergency Management Agency’s radio equipment to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Last month, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston suggested looking into whether the county’s DRMO funds could be used. That money comes from the sale of former military equipment owned by the county.
Pulaski County has gotten $150,000 from NIPSCO, as compensation for the wear and tear on county roads caused by recent power line construction. The construction of NIPSCO’s Reynolds-Topeka Line brought large trucks and heavy machinery onto the county’s roads.
The number of school fundraisers is drawing concerns from a Knox School Board member. Wendy McIntire called on school officials last week to think about the difference between wants and needs, before setting out to raise money.
National Preparedness Month starts tomorrow, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security says there’s something everyone can do to be ready for disasters. During the month of September, residents are encouraged to make and practice an emergency plan; check their insurance coverage; and learn CPR, first aid, or other lifesaving skills.
The Pulaski County Highway Department is making progress on its summer street projects. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff gave an update to the county commissioners last week. “Gary’s been working on the roads like mad, I guess,” he said. “They got 20 miles of blade mix done. They started sealing today.”
The Pulaski County Election Board has set early voting hours, ahead of November’s General Election. The early voting period runs from October 10 through November 5. During that time, in-person absentee voting will take place Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. EDT at the Pulaski County Justice Center in Winamac.
The Culver Community Schools Corporation is looking to make its buildings more energy efficient. Superintendent Karen Shuman says school officials are exploring the possibility of switching to LED lighting, updating heating and cooling systems, and anything else that could make the school buildings run more efficiently.
Pulaski County Clerk Christi Hoffa would get a pay raise for her duties with the county election board, under its 2019 budget proposal. Hoffa reviewed the proposal with the rest of the election board Monday. She explained that much of the budget work was done before board members Jon Frain and Laura Bailey were replaced by Patty Sullivan and Jessye Gilley.
A Pulaski County adventure park is drawing privacy concerns from some of its neighbors. McKenzie and John Forest live just north of Rugged Adventures, outside Winamac. Last week, they came to the county commissioners looking for help.
The Knox Community School Corporation is planning its next steps, in response to a recent facilities study.
Students at Culver Community Schools who have fallen behind in their lunch payments will now continue to get regular hot lunches. Previously, students who had accumulated a negative balance in their lunch accounts beyond a certain amount had been given an alternative box lunch. The issue, according to Superintendent Karen Shuman, is that students were still being charged, even though they weren’t getting a regular lunch.
Hamlet Town Council President Dave Kesvormas hopes a Stellar Community designation for Starke County could help make the town more welcoming of future development. During last week’s council meeting, Kesvormas said he’s not 100-percent sold on the Stellar Communities Program, but he thinks it would help put certain things in a more favorable light.
The Pulaski County Commissioners have decided to check and see if the county is eligible for fuel tax reimbursements. Last week, the commissioners conditionally agreed to hire consulting firm Malcon to help with the process.
The Town of Hamlet’s plan to upgrade Railroad Street is starting to draw interest from paving contractors. Engineer Lee Nagai told the town council last week that four companies have expressed interest.
“Three of them have come and looked at it,” he said. “I sent plans and sent the specs and bid documents to a fourth. They have not called me yet to come visit the site, but I have a feeling they might be working with somebody else. So I think we’ll get at least three bids. I’m guardedly optimistic that this is going to draw some attention.” Bids will be opened during a special town council meeting on Friday, September 7 at 4:00 p.m.
Among other things, the project would restore Railroad Street back to an appropriate width. Some pieces of sidewalk may also be replaced, but Nagai says some trees would have to be removed in order for that to happen. Town officials plan to get input from homeowners before deciding how to proceed.
The Town of Hamlet plans to apply for a Community Crossings grant to help fund the proposed Railroad Street improvements.
Plans for November’s General Election will be discussed when the Pulaski County Election Board meets tonight. Clerk Christi Hoffa says board members will work on plans for early voting, as well as the election itself.
The replacement of a bridge on Pulaski County Road 700 North over Bogus run has come in under budget. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff told the county commissioners Monday that the final amount ended up being over $47,000 less than expected.
