*IF ANYONE- A RESIDENT, COMMISSIONER, ENGINEER, SEWER BOARD MEMBER, ETC.- HAS INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY PLEASE DO SO.
The latest information added includes: Federal Grant 219 info. , water quality info.
One of our current issues - which actually prompted the creation of this blog- is the proposed sewer system. At the township meeting tonight (11/4/06) I said that I would copy some of the information that other citizens have gathered and figure out how to put them on the web. So this is my attempt at doing that - and my first blogging experience, so bare with me. This post will change as I am able to gather more information and make it available. The information will be below this introductory paragraph - so read this comment each time as it will change. So start making your comments, sharing opinions, information, & solutions - but please try to be useful and thought-provoking. We can figure out the best way to address this issue if we work together. -just one of the many citizens of Jackson Twnshp. who is concerned about getting information, Kristin Szczerbik
Let me also be clear that I, like many of you, do not yet have enough information to make an informed decision as to what is best for this community. Whether it ends up being the sewer as proposed, an alternate sewer plan, or septic - I am for whatever plan makes sense for this area. I also will not tolerate any rude personal e-mails (like the one I received yesterday from a sewer board member) from anyone making false accusations as to my beliefs or actions - use the forum - it's open to everyone, state your name, be honest, and be USEFUL!!!! I am only trying to provide a resource, as any good community member or leader would do. *Any information within this document is only to the best of my knowledge, I can not confirm the accuracy of information that is provided, but only just provide it. So if you see an error, or have additional information - please share it. Nothing contained here within should be construed as legal advice, political content, or anything other than information from one concerned citizen to another.
Please click on "sewer proposal" under the "BLOG ARCHIVE" to the right of the screen to see all comments. Information is added frequently. So please look through to find what you need.
Do you want to know what the County Council said about the $75,000 to be used for the purchase of land for the proposed sewer plant? Well, you can. Just click on the following two links and you will be able to read the meeting minutes as they appear on a Councilmember's website which includes the discussion and debate surrounding the appropriation. It's very important to understand what information they had to work with at the time so read it.
Here is October, 2004 - YOU NEED TO READ THIS -VERY INTERESTING -A rather lively discussion! There is a heated discussion about the date of closing on the sale. You will see what they are referring to on the deed itself (which is located further down in the post.) I requested from the Auditor's Office a copy of the purchase agreement that was referred to in the minutes but was told that that office does not have a copy.
-just click on the link below
http://www.antonkarlneff.com/store/dirs/County_Council_Minutes/Council_Minutes_10-13-04.pdf
Wow! What did you think of that?? Well, you'll also want to read August.
and here is August, 2004, just click below
http://www.antonkarlneff.com/store/dirs/County_Council_Minutes/8-9-04.pdf
If you are having trouble pulling up the above links then go to http://www.antonkarlneff.com and then click on "meeting minutes" in the upper left, go to 2004, then look in October and August. While you are there check out his website - he does an OUTSTANDING job of keeping Owen County informed about what is happening in the Council.
WHAT WERE THE DETAILS OF THIS?
I am still trying to track down the paperwork, but I was told by the Commissioner's that it was structured as a 5 year interest free loan (with the time beginning to run in 2004?) and that they expect to pay it off with the USDA loan/grant $ if approved.
WHAT DOES THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT SAY? WHAT WERE THE TERMS OF SALE, IF ANY?
In the Council meeting minutes there was a purchase agreement referred to and it was said that a copy would be provided to the Council/Auditor. I requested a copy of this from the Auditor's Office and was told that they do not have a copy and that they have requested one in the past. So I went to the attorney's office (Bonnell) to request one but the secretary could not find the file. I called today to follow up and left another message for the attorney. As far as terms of sale, I did not see any within the deed itself (but read it for yourself to see if I missed something) so we would need to see if there is another document (including the purchase agreement) out there outlining any terms.
SO WHERE IS THE LAND THAT WAS PURCHASED?
Below is a copy of an Owen County plat map that shows the area prior to the purchase. It shows that LeRoy Patton and Harmon Crone were the owners. The yellow highlighted area is the area of interest (both far and close-up views.) The Plat Book is available at the Owen County Assessor's Office for $10, located in the Courthouse.
Following the purchase referred to in the above paragraphs, that land is now deeded to the Owen County Board of Commissioners. Below is the current section map for the area of interest, Jackson Township, Section 32, that shows the portion of the above land that was sold to the Owen County Board of Commissioners. It is from far away and close-up, with the land area that we are looking at in the highlighted portion. Copies of the section map can be picked up from the Assessor's Office in the Courthouse. (It's just one page - so you do NOT need to purchase a plat book for that.)
WHAT IS THE CATARACT SEWER DISTRICT AND WHO DOES IT AFFECT?
Good question!! I am currently working on an accurate and concise definition for you. As far as "who and where." I have been told that we can purchase those maps that were shown to us at the last meeting, from the engineering company. I will find out exactly how and let you know.
WHO IS THE SEWER BOARD? HOW WAS IT FORMED? WHO VOTES?
An even better question!! Right now, I am searching through Commissioner's meeting minutes, speaking to Commissioner's, Sewer Board members, and called IDEM to find out these answers. So I will keep adding to this as I get the info. To answer someone's question - some of the sewer board members live in Jackson Twnshp. and some do not. I will give you an exact number when I know it.
Below is a link to the minutes of a Commissioner's meeting in 2004 which changed who was on the board, with 2 Commissioner's maintaing their positions and voting rights on the board. Just click below:
http://www.antonkarlneff.com/store/dirs/Commissioner_Minutes/Commissioner_Minutes_122204.pdf
WHAT MONEY HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR THROUGH GRANTS OR LOANS?
Indiana USDA Rural Development - Application filed, Pending
There is currently a pending application for money through the Indiana USDA Rural Development Office (which I will refer to as USDA in this blog for short.) After I have a chance to obtain and review a copy of the application next week I will share that with you all. As it was explained to me by USDA however, there are several steps in the loan process. First there's an application, there must also be an engineering report, and environmental report, and some other steps. As I understand it, we are at the beginning of that process.
Check back on Thurs. for copies of the USDA loan app.
US Army Corps. of Engineers, Environmental Infrastructures Progam, Section 219 - Letter of Intent Filed
According to the appropriate contact person with the Army Corps, a letter of intent has been filed seeking money through this program. After the letter of intent is filed, authorization must be given (usually through the Water Resources and Development Act) and then the actual appropriation must be made by a member of Congress (i.e. Lugar, etc.) which is usally done through the Energy and Water appropriations bill. This process currently has nothing to do with our local army corps - so do not contact them, they don't have any info. and this is independant of the water quality of the lake.
ENGINEERING REPORT- WHERE IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT SAY?
That is supposed to be provided when I get a copy of the loan app. - so I'll let you know next week.
WATER QUALITY OF THE LAKE - WHAT IS IN THERE?
The Army Corps can be proud of our lake and it's water quality compared to other lakes. They do tests for things like mercury, heavy metals and other items and those reports dating back to 1979 are available at the Cunot Community Center. (as soon as I get this pdf thing figured out they will be here too.) The Army Corps does not currently have any tests on the items that we would need to see if there were fecal contamination. I was told that it is common practice to test beach areas in the summer months for safety so I called the State Health Dept. to see if they have any tests - and am waiting for their return phone call. Other residents pointed out that - according to memory- our beach has not been closed for reasons of contamination. Nor does anyone recall a fish kill, like we have seen all too often in the White River. If anyone has knowledge to the contrary please let us all know a.s.a.p.
What can YOU do? YOU CAN DO A LOT!!!!!!!!
Whether you are for, against, or undecided - you can
1.Review any information that you can find - I will provide what I can on this site and at the Cunot Community Center
2. Write letters to the editor - it's important that the opinions of the community be heard. Look in the Hoosier Topics and the Spencer Evening World for details on how to do that.
3. GO TO THE MEETINGS - both those called by the sewer board and those called by the people of Jackson Township. As soon as individuals provide me with the information I will post the meeting times and locations on this site. Also, check the newspapers for meeting info.
THE NEXT MEETING IS: not been scheduled yet as far as I know
4. Write a letter to the agency currently considering the loan/grant application. Here is the address: Indiana USDA Rural Development Bloomfield Area Office, 104 CR 70 E. Suite C, P.O. Box 191 Bloomfield, IN 47424-8730.
5. Contact the Owen County Commissioners and the Owen County Council at (812)829-5000.
6. Send me your e-mail and I will try to keep people informed through e-mail as much as possible.
