By SYDNEY KENT
The anticipated special meeting between the Jefferson Township Advisory Board and the Ossian Town Council was postponed on Monday, meaning there is still no fire protection agreement signed for 2025.
Township advisory board members Tim Baker and David Haiflich could not attend the meeting. The issue has been deferred to 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 before the next council meeting.
Ossian Fire Chief Ben Fenstermaker discussed the proposed budget with the council. Fenstermaker categorized each of the department’s expenses, which totaled $251,477. The council is requesting to split the costs with the township. More information regarding the fire budget will be available in Wednesday’s edition of The News-Banner.
Development continues in Ossian’s newest housing addition, Crosswinds, with the council signing an approval for a revised second plat. Area Plan Commission Executive Director Mike Lautzenheizer was present to request the approval.
Jared Kurtz with the Ossian Park Board and Norwell Baseball League discussed the ongoing issue with baseball fees. During last month’s meeting, the council approved a motion to increase the current fee to $35 per child. Town Manager Crystal Chapman previously explained that surrounding counties charged $65-$80 per player, and that the town’s current fee was only $10.
However, the league took issue with the proposed increase to $40 as it would push the total cost per child to over $100. The council was not aware that the league charged more than the $10 given to the town.
Kurtz and another member from the league explained that additional costs are associated with running the team, and that $57 of the $60 per player last year was allocated for gear and insurance alone.
“I think there was some misunderstanding on how the league formed and what the league stands for,” Kurtz said. “We are a 501(c)(3), volunteer board,”
The council also approved a motion to excavate the baseball fields in the amount of $7,590. The fields currently hold excessive water.
Also during the meeting, Police Commissioner President Caleb Chichester told the council that Ossian’s newest police officer, Joshua Ware, will graduate from academy this Friday. He also clarified ongoing confusion surrounding officers driving their department vehicles home after work.
Chichester explained that one officer drove his vehicle home from work as he was fulfilling extra duties, without any additional benefits. The newest officer, James Elliot, is allowed to drive his vehicle home per the contract he signed with the department.
The council also approved:
• Payment of $139,214.67 to Wayne Asphalt and Construction as part of the CCMG 2023 Grant for work on Millside Court and Melching Court.
• Payment of $89,093.65 to VTF Excavation LLC for work on the Baker Drive Extension, as well as a contingency allowance authorization for 11,950.62.
• Payment to the Poke-Obache Task Force in the amount of $399
• Approved ordinance 24-8-1, an additional appropriation ordinance to appropriate $35,000 for the fire department
• A letter of understanding between INDOT and the town stating that S.R. 1 will be closed down beginning as early as spring 2025. The unofficial detour will be through County Road 1000 North (David Road) to CR 450 E and 1050 N.
A motion to purchase a 35 mph speed limit sign after Officer Russ Mounsey expressed his and fellow citizens’ concerns with speeding on David Road
sydney@news-banner.com
