By MARGARET L. WILLIS

Neighbors of the Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary, now a vacant lot where a house once stood, say it is creating a common nuisance.

On more than one occasion, said Cheryl Evans, the parking area has had garbage and litter left there and teens have congregated to set off fireworks. Also, Evans pointed out, excavation work and changes to the parking lot have been carried out without obtaining town permits.

Town code calls for lots where houses have been torn down to be returned to their natural state, Evans said, and a staircase left on site may constitute an unsafe building violation.

Evans said she’s concerned about who is liable if anyone is hurt at the site and how to stop the fireworks.

When Evans previously brought her concerns to the council she was referred to the Plan Commission. Evans told the council Tuesday she tried to get on the agenda of the Plan Commission, but it failed to meet this month.

“It’s a Catch-22,” she said.

The parcel is advertised in brochures and on the Internet as a site for visitors. “I don’t think mini-buses of visitors is a low-key venture,” Evans said. She said the organization needs to see some consequences for violating town code and she objects to the idea of additional traffic. “Our roads are our sidewalks.”

Council president John Wilhelm said he is also concerned about the issues raised, adding that such a venture is not covered in town code because it’s never happened before. “It’s uncharted ground.”

Council member Louis Roberts said that the brochures advise visitors can come to the site “by appointment only,” and agreed that the Plan Commission is where the issues need to be addressed. “We need to think hard on special uses.”

Water still brown

Residents along Crest Drive are still experiencing problems that make their water undrinkable and unusable for laundry because it stains clothing.

Indiana American Water Company is planning an improvement project on Ridge Drive, but seems unresponsive on the issue at Crest, said Ben Bolton. Improvements could be two months away, according to IAWC, he said. Meanwhile, the gray and brown water persists.

A temporary fix discussed last month has not been carried out, Bolton advised.

He is to meet with an IAWC representative this week, he said, and his fellow council members told him to demand action.

“Dig your heels in,” advised Wilhelm.

Roads Commissioner Irving Call announced paving is planned for West Rd., between Redwood and Willow, as well as the north half of Circle Drive and Circle’s cul de sac. The council approved expenditures of up to $30,000 for the projects.

Club house coordinator Rick Demkovich announced bid specifications are being prepared for the renovation project and that recent fire inspections went well and the paperwork has all been filed.

Vehicle passes are in order and “ready to go,” reported Police Commissioner Cecelia Call.

Renters, she reminded, will need to have a valid sticker and a renters’ pass.

New road signage is on schedule for installation by Memorial Day weekend. Installation will be in phases with parking signs first.

The Environment and Parks Commissioners Cheryl Evans and Kelly Klein, agreed the Town Clean-up went well, with 30 volunteers gathering 20 bags of garlic mustard, working to remove and store the hockey rink liner, painting in the parks and putting up the tennis nets.

Plans for the Fourth of July celebration are progressing and donations totaling $2,000 for fireworks were received this week, said deputy clerk-treasurer Sherry King.

Posted 5/17/2007