By MARGARET L. WILLIS

Pilot Travel Center has met the “letter” of the agreement with the town, attorney Robert Welsh said, though the installed porkchop intended to force right turns only on exit from the parking lot does not fully accomplish its purpose.

The original plan, submitted to Indiana Department of Transportation was altered at their request, Welsh said, and though it doesn’t work as hoped, it was constructed with IDEM approval.

In the town plan, the traffic would have been practically forced to go west from the exit, Welsh said.

As it is, police enforcement will be needed to ensure compliance. “If people still go left the problem boils down to law enforcement,” Welsh said.

A letter from IDEM stating the No Left Turn is an authorized state sign will provide the legal teeth needed by the police department to issue traffic citations for violation of that sign, Police Chief Jerry Price said.

“It’s amazing how fast word of mouth can be” agreed Welsh, on the ticketing.

The problems may continue, noted resident Gordon McCormick. “You can’t prevent stupidity.”

Police calls from Pilot are down since security has been in place on site, said Price, “So far, so good, but,” he warned, “summer will tell the story.”

Water System Sale Nearing

Welsh said he has finally heard from a representative of the Indiana American Water Company. The company has reviewed the waterline easements and finds them all in order, Welsh said.

“Their legal department is to contact me sometime next week, I’m told.”

The council unanimously approved, suspending the rules to adopt on the night of first reading, an ordinance prohibiting abandoned vehicles.

Abandoned vehicles now may be removed and the owner held liable for the towing and removal costs.

The ordinance, No. 195-2006, amended town code, bringing it in line with state statute on the matter.

It gives the Police Department the power to deal with abandoned vehicles, rather than the Building Commissioner. “It’s what we need,” said Price.

The council also gave final and unanimous approval to amending the zoning map, converting from I-1, light industrial, to R-1, single family residential, on two large parcels totaling over 100 acres on the west side of Babcock Rd.

The council voted unanimously in favor of creating a third full-time position within the General Maintenance/MVH Department.

Randy Skalku is acting street commissioner and has part-time help.

“We’re still hoping for Doug Wentz to return full-time,” said council member Mike Perrine, but even when he does, the town and the work load are growing to the extent that the third person will be needed, council members agreed.

The council also approved the purchase of the previously leased town copier, at a cost of $1,100.

The council declined to take action of a request by Unison to purchase the cell phone tower lease, which generates $10,000 annually for the town scholarship fund. The buyout would have been a lump sum equaling approximately seven years of the lease, which has 25 years left.

Leeann Perrine reported the town Easter Egg Hunt was “a very big success.” Over 80 children hunted for 350 eggs; volunteers brought a good deal of food and over 140 people were in attendance.

Arney added his family thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Posted 4/13/2006