BOURBON – The Bourbon Town Council ended the year with a short meeting, with Board President Les McFarland absent due to a work conflict.
Board members Larry Wattenbarger and P.J. Hanley approved contracting with Umbaugh and Associates to perform a water and sewer rate study. Steve Stacy, wastewater superintendent, had informed the board in previous meetings that there could be needed repairs and upgrade in the future. No decisions as to a rate increase have been made pending the results of the study. The cost of the study as approved is not to exceed $7,500.
Two offers for a property owned by the town on Center Street were rejected. The town took over the property several months ago and paid some $19,000 to have an unsafe house demolished, along with cleanup of the property. The board had hoped to sell the property for residential use with a stipulation that a house be built within two years. When the property didn’t sell, that stipulation was released.
One offer was for $14,000 and the second was for the full $19,000. Wattenbarger said they were rejecting the offers since the perspective buyers wanted to erect storage facilities rather than a residential dwelling. The property would have to be rezoned for a storage business.
A property identified as the Elizabeth Cary property located on West Center Street could be deeded to the family of Cary. Bill Keyser, Bourbon Zoning and Building, had been named executor of the property in a court action so that outside debris and a variety of abandoned vehicles could be removed. Town attorney Mark Wagner indicated that all expenses associated with the cleanup of the property have been recovered through an IRA that was found.
Although a discussion of a property located in the 800 block of North Main Street was not on the meeting agenda, board members expressed their willingness to respond to a letter received from the owner. Keyser continues to refer to the house on the property as inhabitable and is moving forward with enforcing town ordinances concerning unsafe houses.
The owner stated in the letter to the board that the house has had electrical service since 2002. Keyser said he has not been given access to the house to confirm or deny that the electricity is connected. Bourbon Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger said there is not water or sewer services to the house. The board advised Keyser to proceed with enforcement.
The approval of Mike Chapman as fire chief for 2018 had been slated, however, no one from the fire department was in attendance and no action was taken.
The Bourbon Police Department Report listed 24 speeding infractions in November. The average speed over the posted limit was 18.8 mph. Three of the 24 were over 84 mph in a posted 60 limit.
