New business coming to Holton-Marshal thankful for RSRF grant
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WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO
Holton Town Marshal Ron Buchanan is pictured wearing the body cam and holding the new taser purchased by a grant from the RSRF grant.
Along with other business at the August meeting of the Holton Town Council, they approved a zoning change for a new business on US 50 in the town.
Phyllis Nighbert, Paul Hughes and Andy Stratton all agreed that having self-storage units would be good for the town of Holton and gave their approval to make the zoning change from agriculture to roadside business for the property at 7970 W US 50 requested by Brandon Thoroughman and Cassie Hornsby, owners.
Both Thoroughman and Hornsby were at the meeting explaining they will have a more thorough scope that includes lighting, security, automatic gate, and more that they will share soon. The business will have one building with approximately 30 units, and an open lot for storing motor homes, boats, etc. They have done their research and hope to be operational by late spring of 2025.
A Resolution for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was approved. This $92,100 will be used for funding a plow truck, perhaps a lawn mower and other much needed items for the town. The present lawn mower has over 1,000 hours and needs parts.
The Public Safety money that comes from the county (revenue generated through income tax approved by Ripley County Council), was discussed. It is up to Council discretion how the money is split between the fire and police. With a motion by Nighbert and second by Hughes, the Council approved that two-thirds of the funds go to the Otter Creek Volunteer Fire Department and one-third go to the police. This is an annual amount of $27,348.
The fire department is always in need of funds, but this year more than ever since they couldn’t get their usual township draw. It was noted at the meeting that the 2023 tax rates paperwork was not filed, therefore no one in Otter Creek Township was granted funds this year.
In other business:
The Council set a Budget Hearing for their next meeting, which is September 4 at 7 p.m. at the community building. The Adoption Hearing was set for October 9.
There have been multiple complaints on the Greg Pickett property where things are piling up, making mowing hard. Stratton noted there were other properties that are going to need attention. While paperwork has been served on some, others will be getting cited. “Some places are pretty bad,” Stratton said.
The problem at the intersection of North Marion and Versailles Street was discussed. When people turn there, either left or right, it is a sharp turn that has seen several near misses and two recent crashes. The Council is not against making a change where motorists can no longer turn right off Versailles, nor left coming out of North Marion.
Micah Lohrum of Lohrum Electrical attended the meeting following up from last month. Stratton noted they have scrapped the generator project due to it not being the proper size. He thanked Lohrum for his input and the two were in agreement.
LED lighting will be installed in the town’s maintenance building by Gary Swinney with Council President Andy Stratton assisting. The Council will look into getting the overhead garage door fixed at the lagoons, and a sign with the rules and regulations of the town’s park will be installed. It was noted that cameras will also be installed in various places to hopefully minimize vandalism. Marshal Ron Buchanan said he is working with Trent Linville of Airwaves on this project.
Marshal Buchanan said the recent Rising Sun Regional Foundation grant money was put to good use for the police department. The grant for $22,635 was used to install multiple cameras, including a body camera for the marshal. It also was used to purchase a high-end taser.
The equipment records everything that goes on inside and outside of the police vehicle. “It’s good for me and the community,” Marshal Buchanan stated. He is all about transparency and said the body camera is always recording. When the lights on the unit are activated, the camera is recording. It has an automatic license place reader that gives him alerts as well.
The police department stays updated thanks to grants such as the one above and various programs the marshal has participated in. The unit is equipped with a new computer and printer at no cost to the town and he has stop sticks if needed (and after two high-speed pursuits out of Jennings County, they could be used). He is attending a Criminal Justice Institute conference in September, that is fully funded by them. He tries to take advantage of any additional no-cost training, along with his other full-time job, and part time job driving a school bus. He is also the Archery Coach for a local team.
A reminder was given that the September meeting will be a week earlier than usual. It will be held on September 4 at 7 p.m. at the Holton Community Building on Versailles Street.