Hannah’s House, Cody and John Speak among appropriation options; Chief of Police salary discussed
By SYDNEY KENT
The Ossian Town Council meeting opened with a public hearing to consider the additional appropriation of opioid fund uses. Christine Walker, Director of Community Care of Northeast Indiana, was present to discuss the potential use of these funds for a new recovery home in Bluffton.
Hannah’s House, a recovery home with the ability to serve seven women at one time, is projected to cost approximately $100,000 a year to operate. Unlike Grace and Mercy, residents will not be required to pay for services. Because of this, Walker said funding is critical. Hannah’s House, anticipated to open in October, is the only recovery home of its kind in Wells County.
“What we found is we’re missing a gap in our services,” Walker explained. “Grace and Mercy is a home for women and children. We can only serve women 4-6 months out of active addiction there. Instead of sending away families to other cities, we decided to bridge this gap.”
Walker asked for a yearly financial commitment. The council agreed to look into the potential uses for the funds and discuss the topic at the next regular meeting.
The council unanimously approved a motion to pay $1,500 for the upcoming event, Cody and John Speak, which will take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 14, at the Wells County fairgrounds. The event is intended to address the ongoing fentanyl crisis, discuss drug prevention tactics, and offer peer support.
“This seems to be an area ultimately that is getting worse and worse,” Council President Josh Barkley said in regards to the rising number of individuals battling addiction. “This is what this event is for.”
Police Commissioner Caleb Chichester updated the council on behalf of the Ossian Police Department Monday evening. Chichester told the council the salary for Chief of Police, who was also present at the meeting, was up for review according to his contract.
Chichester reported that the commissioners are very happy with the work Chief of Police Kurt Jack has performed thus far. He requested a raise, which would increase Jack’s salary from $70,000 to $75,000 per year. Chichester also requested an additional week of vacation time for Jack, which would bring his total vacation time to 3 weeks per year.
Council member Stephanie Tucker made a motion specifically to honor the contract and raise the chief’s pay as discussed during hiring. Tucker did not include the vacation time in this motion. This was pointed out, however, no other council members made a motion to increase vacation time. Tuckers motion passed.
Larry Heckber, President of the Ossian Revitalization Committee and founder of the Ossian Cemetery Restoration Project, made a request to replace the flags that are put up before Memorial Day and taken down after Veteran’s Day each year. The flags have worn down over the years.
The council agreed to pay for the new flags. Heckber volunteered himself and his brother, both veterans, to take the flags down and put them back up.
Jeff Osborn updated the council on the Ossian Parks Department, noting that the department plans to have a booth available at Ossian Days later this week. Osborn said the summer concert series has been successful this year, with the most recent concert going off without a hitch. Osborn also reported that Horizon Events is making progress with the free annual haunted house and trail at the Archbold-Wilson Park, which is scheduled to be open Oct. 27-28.
Also at the meeting, the town accepted motions to:
• Purchase a new dump truck bed and hoist for $26,957.
• Pay the WCSO for their hours for the month of August in the amount of $5,457.50.
• Accept a resignation from a member of the Storm Board, David Bass, who expressed his gratitude to the town of Ossian.
sydney@news-banner.com
