‘Biggest day yet’ for shred event
Recycling Center Supervisor Kevin Poling reported 1,185 vehicles used the facility in April and as of Saturday, 550 vehicles had been through in May.
Wells County Solid Waste District Controller Lisa McCormick said 7,640 pounds of paper were shredded during this year’s secure shredding event. That was up from 7,300 pounds in 2018.
“Biggest day yet,” she said.
The county’s hazardous material collection day is June 11 on the Bluffton-Harrison Middle School.
Jail population exceeds 80 during reno
Sheriff Scott Holliday reported 84 inmates were in the Wells County Jail as of Monday morning, including 30 pre-trial holds for Superior Court, 17 pre-trial holds for Circuit Court, 19 Level 6 felons and eight from the Indiana Department of Correction.
Commissioners postpone action until June
Three items were tabled this week by the Wells County Commissioners due to the absence of one member.
Two quotes were received for a new sound system, President Mike Vanover announced, as the one currently in use needs repairs or replacement as it’s hard to hear in the room and the audio recording during the livestream. However, Vanover wanted to wait until Jeff Stringer was present to make a decision on that.
An appointment for the county’s property tax assessment board of appeals was also tabled. The county recently solicited applications for the board after removing a long-time appointment.
Another item on the agenda dealing with employee review instruments and procedures was also tabled.
Board continues talks about dispatch
Commissioner President Mike Vanover wanted to update the public Monday on ongoing conversations to combine the city and county’s emergency dispatch services.
It has been a topic of discussions at meetings of the relatively new 911 Advisory Board, a group that Vanover hopes will serve as a sounding board for the county’s emergency response personnel.
County engineer provides updates
County Engineer Nate Rumschlag said petitions for 2022 road conversions close Wednesday, June 1. Petitions are available for download from the county website and at the highway department.
Rumschlag also reported that the stormwater collection system in Murray is still on scheduled to be completed next month.
The commissioners signed off on a few of Rumschlag’s requests as well Monday:
• The design contract from Butler, Fairman and Seufert for the bridge on Jeff Road over a branch of the Salamonie River. The scope of work was reviewed by the commissioners earlier this month. The total not-to-exceed amount is $110,410, including $6,400 “if needed” services in an attempt to avoid any supplemental agreements in the future.
• An agreement with Engineering Resources for the survey and design of the intersection and roadway improvements for County Home Road and 300S. Rumschlag said “the proposal includes an alternate to extend the design work through 250S” and that he was “recommending (the county) approve both the base and the alternate scope of work” at a fee of $84,300.
• A subrecipient agreement with the county’s regional sewer district for the county to use $2 million of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds for the RSD. Related to the RSD, Rumschlag said asphalt work started in Liberty Center on Monday.
Highway crews remain busy as seasons change
County Highway Superintendent Shawn Bonar had several updates for the commissioners Monday.
He said side ditch mowing began this week, and the first application of dust control was done on May 11 with the second to follow in the next couple of weeks.
He also noted that two patch crews continue to get roads ready for chip-seal this year.
BHMS academic teams win at state, board hears
Information shared during the Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District meeting Monday includes:
• The textbook and technology rental fees have been increased for the upcoming school year, the first increase since the 2012-2013 year. The fees for kindergarten through fourth grade increased by $20, from $120 to $140. The fees for fifth grade through 12th grade also increased by $20, from $165 to $185.
• After the success of last year’s sale of surplus district equipment — everything sold in quick order after a lot of manpower was used to gather the items in one location — Superintendent Brad Yates said staff is looking into a new idea that would make items available for sale online through the district’s website.
• The middle school academic teams recently competed in the Indiana Academic Super Bowl and did “exceptionally well,” Board President Julie Thompson said. The science team is this year’s state champion and the math team is the state runner-up. The interdisciplinary team finished as state runner-up. Also competing were the social studies team (which finished sixth) and English (which finished 40th).
• To view employment requests, visit www.news-banner.com under the “On the Beat” blog.
Southern Wells’ CTE students recognized
The board members of Southern Wells Community Schools were complimentary of the work that the district’s career and technical education programs did this school year.
The programs were highlighted during Tuesday’s school board meeting with multiple students sharing what they learned.
The programs included Doug Hunt’s advanced manufacturing, Tracy Gentis’ construction trades, Isaac Collins’ HVAC program, Whitney Powell’s FCCLA group, and the school’s Business Professionals of America group.
President Kevin Scott said there is a lot to be proud of for these groups representing Southern Wells. Learn more about the classes at www.news-banner.com
SWCS to use new unpaid fees collection system
The Southern Wells school board unanimously approved on Tuesday trying a new collections system called Kinum.
Superintendent Brian Sloan said the current system is not working as the administration and staff seek unpaid school fees.
“The Central Office would like the board to approve using Kinum collection services for unpaid school fees,” notes on the board agenda said, explaining the process. “In the past this has been done through small claim court with diminishing results. In May Kinum letters would begin. The letter process from Kinum last 50 days before moving into the phone call collection phase. We would have final approval of the phone call list for this collection phase. Once moving into the phone call phase, then this would affect the person’s credit, and we would receive 65 percent of the debt and Kinum would received 35 percent of what is collected.”
The board agreed with trying out this service since using the local courts has limited success.
SWCS board approves other matters
Other items acted on Tuesday by the SWCS include:
• Approval of the school resource officer contract, which was reported on in Tuesday’s News-Banner.
• Donation requests, field trip and conference requests, as well as employment requests. To view employment requests, visit www.news-banner.com under the “On the Beat” blog.
Town residents reminded about pool filling notice
Markle residents who plan to fill their pools for the summer are asked to call town hall before doing so in order for the town to adjust the wastewater portion of the residents’ bills.
That call needs to be made prior to the pool being filled, Clerk-Treasurer Stephenie Hensley said Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, the council heard that four to six new home builds should be starting soon in the new housing addition east of Tracy Street near Ind. 116 in Wells County.
— Compiled by Jessica Bricker
