North Judson Continues Golf Cart Ordinance Discussion

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Council this week continued discussion regarding the proposed golf cart ordinance. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, the town board is still researching a sample ordinance from the state governing golf carts, and she says the council will likely have an ordinance drafted by the next meeting for review.

The town is currently considering the idea of joining several counties, cities, and towns throughout the state that have adopted ordinances regulating where golf carts can and cannot be driven. Henry says that as of right now, the council is unsure as to whether or not golf carts are regulated in North Judson, but this ordinance would rectify that and define clear requirements for their use.

Continue reading →

North Judson Town Council To Soon Approve No-Tobacco Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Council at their meeting Monday night held the first and second readings of their no-tobacco ordinance. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says the council will likely hold the final reading on the ordinance at their next meeting on Sept. 4.

The ordinance prohibits not only smoking, but the use of any tobacco – including chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, and other methods of tobacco use – and applies to all municipal property. This includes buildings, places of employment, and parks. Henry says this ordinance prohibits smoking and tobacco use “inside” all municipal buildings, and within 8 feet of municipal buildings. Ordinance prohibits smoking and tobacco use “inside” park shelters, and within 15 feet of the shelters.

The ordinance is more restrictive than the state’s Smoke Free Air Law, but only applies to municipal properties.

Henry says the next meeting of the town council is on Tuesday, Sept. 4, because the regularly scheduled meeting date of Sept. 3 falls on the Labor Day holiday.

North Judson Considering Golf Cart Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI

The town of North Judson is considering the idea of joining several counties, cities, and towns throughout Indiana that have adopted ordinances regulating where golf carts can and cannot be driven. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, the town board is reviewing a sample ordinance governing golf carts to determine whether or not they want to draft an ordinance based around those recommendations.

Henry says the council is unsure as to whether or not an ordinance is currently in effect regulating golf carts, but she says it’s more likely that the board has mentioned something in the meeting minutes prohibiting golf carts from operating on town roads. However, if that is the case, the board would like to have something more concrete on record specifying requirements for golf cart operation – such as an operator’s license, insurance on the vehicle, registration, or other necessities.

The board also discussed their no-tobacco ordinance, and have sent it to be publicized. Henry says once it has been advertised in the paper, the board can move forward with the first reading of the ordinance and proceed with its enactment.

North Judson Town Council Discusses “Urban Chicken” Issue

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Council this week discussed what some council members are referring to as the “urban chicken” issue. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that because the town does not have an ordinance regulating farm animals within town limits, the council will be reviewing information concerning domestic and farm animals in the town. The town currently has an ordinance for domestic animals, and Henry said they may revise the ordinance to regulate urban farm animals as well.

Continue reading →

North Judson Household Causes Sewer Clog Over The Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

One North Judson resident had to deal with a smelly situation Sunday night after a lift station pump plugged up, causing sewage to seep up into their home. North Judson Town Council President Wendy Hoppe commended Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann and his three-man crew for their quick response and diligent effort in rectifying the situation, which was reportedly caused by a North Judson resident who had flushed an item down the toilet that had clogged up the sewer system.

The lift station pump was permanently damaged from the clog, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry emphasized the fact that nothing should be flushed down the toilet except for human waste and toilet paper. She says that while an item may be labeled as “flushable,” that’s not always the case. The item may flush down the toilet, but it’s not unlikely that it will get stuck in the sewer system and cause further problems down the line.

Continue reading →

Special Meeting Held Regarding North Judson Industrial Park

Posted on Author WKVI
Charles Weaver
Charles Weaver

A special meeting was held at the North Judson Community Center last week regarding the industrial park, and while nothing definite was decided, the meeting brought together members of the community to share ideas and gather information.

The industrial park has been dormant for quite some time, and the Starke County Economic Development Foundation wanted to work with the North Judson Town Council to put their heads together and come up with some potential possibilities for the development of the park. The meeting also reviewed any current issues with the park.

Continue reading →

Two Important Meetings In Starke County This Week

Posted on Author WKVI

Two important meetings are scheduled to be held this week in Starke County.

The first, the Knox City Council will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss their proposed water rate increase. Discussion will be held over Umbaugh and Associates’ recommendation to increase the water utility rate by $6.70 a month and the council will vote on whether or not to approve an ordinance increasing the water rate. A public hearing will also be held, and the meeting will take place at Knox City Hall at 7 p.m.

A special meeting for the North Judson Town Council will be held on Thursday at 4 p.m. CT to discuss the North Judson Industrial Park. According to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, expected attendees include Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann, Charlie Weaver and Larry Wickert of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.

Town of North Judson To Draft No-Tobacco Ordinance

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson Town Board

The Town of North Judson has announced that it is in compliance with the new smoke-free air law as required by the state, but the town board has announced plans to draft their own, more stringent no-tobacco policy.

Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that the ordinance would not only prevent smoking, but all use of tobacco where smoking is prohibited. She says the ordinance would include park shelters because they are currently not covered by the state law, which only applies to enclosed structures. The board is interested in including these shelters in the no-tobacco policy because they feel the shelters are there for people to enjoy, and the board feels they have the right to enjoy them without having to tolerate tobacco smoke close to them.

The board will soon have the ordinance drafted and then read for approval at an upcoming meeting.

Henry says the board also commended the town’s street department on the good job they did over the weekend in cleaning up brush and debris from last weekend’s storms.

North Judson Town Council Discusses No-Smoking Signage

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson Town Council last week discussed the possibility of putting up signage prohibiting smoking near shelters in the town park. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry says that matter was tabled because, as of July 1, House Bill 1149 would take effect– a bill preventing smoking in many public areas. The council will investigate whether or not parks are included in that bill.

Continue reading →