By SYDNEY KENT
Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Wells County for the upcoming lunar eclipse on April 8. The entirety of the county lies within the path of the eclipse, which will be visible from the U.S. for the last time until 2045.
The Ossian Parks Department, in conjunction with Horizon Events, plans to hold an event on the day of the eclipse at Archbold-Wilson Park. Park Board Vice President Jay Esparza requested $150 towards the cost of a DJ for the event at Monday’s Ossian Town Council meeting. Council member Jeff Kemper offered to sponsor the event on behalf of Kemper Flooring.
Police Commissioner President Caleb Chichester presented a letter of resignation written by new officer Samantha Oliver today. Chichester said Oliver decided the career was not for her and her resignation would be effective the next day. Oliver had not yet completed training. Chichester advised conversations would be ongoing, however, the process of hiring a new officer to replace Oliver would likely begin again soon.
Chad Kline, executive director of Wells County Economic Development, asked the council to sign a master plan for the town. Kline said that the EDC previously did not get enough support from other communities as they did not have funding from grants. Kline said he intends to receive more grants based on previous conversations.
“What most of this work will be,” Kline explained, “(there will be) a lot of community meetings, discussions, identifying opportunities for projects, things you want to see in the community and what the community wants to see in the community.”
“If we agree to this, does this hook us into the 2030 plan without any discretion?” asked Kemper.
“No, this is specific to your community,” Kline clarified. “This is your plan and things that are in here for your community are your decision. The goal currently is to get every community in Wells County a plan that doesn’t have one currently.”
Kline said Markle signed a master plan for around $40,000 and Zanesville signed a plan for over $10,000. He requested not to exceed $4,000 from the council, which was unanimously approved.
New officers were also appointed during the brief redevelopment meeting. Kemper was appointed as president, Dennis Ealing as vice president and Glen Werling as secretary.
During a public hearing before the council meeting, several residents asked questions regarding the rate ordinance for unmetered users. Jim Breckler with Engineering Resources answered various questions about the rates.
Breckler explained that the town applied for a grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation for improvements along Meadow Lane, a residential-use roadway in Roseanne Heights. The project would alleviate safety concerns during what Breckler called “large rain events” in the area. He requested $50,600 towards the improvements. Breckler also asked the council to approve a payment to Ottenweller Contracting LLC of $68,165.64 for work completed on a mechanical bar screen replacement project. Both requests were approved.
Clerk-Treasurer Angie Ealing submitted her resignation, effective in October. The council reluctantly accepted her resignation and thanked her for her ongoing efforts.
The council also:
• Approved a motion to appoint a council member to sign documents from SRF pending approval of funding.
• Approved a motion to pay Engineering Resources $1,295 for work completed for the town.
• Approved an ordinance to increase the pay of an employee who recently earned a difficult certification and will soon take on more work.
• Approved a request from Oak Lawn Cemetery to extend the road on 900 North. The project will involve the placement of a 15-inch culvert underneath the road to assist with drainage.
sydney@news-banner.com
