By David Fenker
WABASH COUNTY, Ind. – The Wabash County Commissioners and Town of Roann took the next step toward demolishing the town’s old school building.
Roann Clerk-Treasurer Bob Ferguson presented the commissioners with a resolution, passed by the Roann Town Council Tuesday, May 9, regarding the old school at the board’s Monday, May 15, meeting.
“[The resolution] would show that the old school would be jointly owned by both the Town of Roann and Wabash County. Along with that, making sure that Roann would be the lead on all the dealings with that,” Ferguson said.
“I’m here today to get permission continue to what we had talked about last time.”
At the commissioners’ April 24 meeting, Ferguson, on behalf of the Roann Town Council, requested that the county and town take joint ownership of the property to pursue a grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) to demolish the structure.
The commissioner agreed to Ferguson’s proposal on the condition that Roann was the lead applicant for the grant, which would take up the town’s second OCRA grant allowance.
An OCRA representative at the April 24 meeting said that towns are allowed three open grants through OCRA, and that counties are allowed four. Both the Town of Roann and Wabash County currently have one open OCRA grant.
Ferguson also proposed use the grant writing services of Kathleen Weisenberger and KW Consultants, LLC.
“Kathleen Weisenberger used to work for ORCA… when she left [OCRA], we were able to get her for our last [Community Development Block Grant], which we were awarded, for the Town of Roann, for half a million dollars,” he said.
He noted that her services for writing the letter of intent and the grant itself would cost the town and county $1,500, paid in two installments of $750.
The commissioners agreed, and instructed Ferguson to consult with County Auditor Marcie Shepherd regarding payment for the grant preparation.
“I think we’re ready to move forward,” Commissioner Barry Eppley said.
“Thank you for your work on this.”
The commissioners also approved the reappointment of Jean Gilbert to the Public Defender Board.
“Jean has agreed to be on the Public Defender Board for another three year term,” Shepherd said regarding the appointment.
Additional news from the meeting included permission for the county’s Drug Court to apply for a grant, the second reading of an ordinance to vacate an alley in Urbana, and the weekly jail report.
Chief Probation Officer Sarah Lochner requested permission to pursue a $10,000 grant through the Indiana Office of Court Services to support problem-solving courts, such as the Wabash County Drug Court. The commissioners granted permission.
The commissioners approved Ordinance 2017-85-2, to vacate an alley on the north side of Urbana, at their May 8 meeting, and approved the ordinance again on second reading at their May 15 meeting.
Sheriff Bob Land reported that there are 78 inmates in the Wabash County Jail, with an additional 58 being held in Miami County, five in Elkhart County and eight in Wells County.