By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com
WABASH – For the second time this year, the Wabash County commissioners have agreed to lead a grant application to help Lighthouse Mission of Wabash County relocate its thrift store.
County Coordinator & Human Resources Director Jim Dils presented the request at the commissioners’ Sept. 24 meeting.
“Last Wednesday, I received a call regarding Lighthouse Mission’s efforts to secure a building for relocation – for them to purchase and remodel,” Dils said.
He noted that, on April 30, the commissioners agreed to be lead applicants on a Community Development Block Grant from the state for the same matter. That grant application, he said, was denied, and Lighthouse Mission has employed a new grant writer who is trying again.
The board voted 3-0 in favor of the request.
The commissioners also unanimously voted in favor of an interlocal agreement with the Town of North Manchester regarding upcoming work on County Road 1100 North, and signed statements of just compensation for parcels of land needed for that project.
The interlocal agreement lays out the terms and conditions of the two governmental entities collaborating on the project and on a Community Crossings Grant from the State of Indiana. Under the agreement, the county will pay for the part of the project from State Road 13 “to the East line of the easternmost driveway belonging to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P.,” with the town taking up the cost of CR 1100 North from that point eastward to Taylor Drive.
Dils noted that, while the commissioners signed the documents, neither the town nor the landowners have signed yet, and the documents are not yet official.
County Highway Superintendent John Martin noted that his department has completed 80 miles of chip and seal repairs.
Sheriff Bob Land gave the weekly jail report, saying that Wabash County Jail had 103 inmates, with an additional 40 in Miami County, 11 in Elkhart County and one in Department of Corrections safe keep for a total of 155 in all four facilities. The peak population at WCJ last week was 107, with an average of 102 inmates. There were 24 new book-ins, and 84 inmates are awaiting court action.