By JONATHAN SNYDER
Plans to construct a fence to replace hedges at 228 East Wiley St. needed an encroachment agreement with the city, which the Board of Public Works and Safety agreed to on Tuesday.
A swimming pool and the hedges are 7 ft. into the city right-of-way on Derek and Andrea Graham’s property. The Wells County Area Plan Commission told the Grahams to apply for an encroachment agreement with the city for any future plans in that right-of-way.
Street Commissioner Tim Simpson’s only concern was that the fence could impact the sight line coming off the nearby alley onto Bennett Street.
In response, Derek stated that the fence would be an estimated 6 ft. tall and would be further away from the sidewalk than the hedges are. The hedges currently go right up to the sidewalk, and the fence would be an estimated one to three feet away.
Board member Scott Mentzer noted that an encroachment agreement would need to be drafted by the city. The board approved the encroachment agreement and both parties will sign after it is drafted.
Two street closure issues also came before the board. One came from the Parlor City Shakespeare Company, who wished to close down the parking spaces in front of the courthouse Sep. 13-15 to make room for food trucks at its performance of Much Ado About Nothing.
The board approved the first two dates, but denied the closure on Sep. 15, due to Bluffton Free Street Fair preparations. While the Sunday showing will continue, no food trucks will be available and the Washington Street Commons parking lot will be closed. Other lots will remain available for the public.
The second closure request is at Elm Street, between Johnson and Main streets, for the Parks Department’s Touch a Truck event on Aug. 24. Parks Department Superintendent Brandy Fiechter requested the road be closed from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for safety purposes, citing the large amount of trucks last year.
Police Chief Kyle Randall also announced ordinance control officer Melissa Zirkle’s resignation and a promotion for officer Logan House, from introductory status to first class patrolman status. House completed the Bluffton Police Department’s in-house training program and graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
Additionally, the board paid an SRF claim to James S. Jackson Construction Company, totaling $1,246,226.
jonathan@news-banner.com
