By David Fenker
david@nmpaper.com
ROANN, Ind. – The old school facility outside the Town of Roann may be one step closer to demolition.
Representatives from the town attended the Oct. 24 meeting of the Wabash County Commissioners to ask for assistance in applying for Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grants to cover the costs of the project.
“I want you to be a partner with the Town of Roann,” Clerk-Treasurer Bob Ferguson said.
“If you get something from OCRA, we’ll help,” Commissioners Scott Givens said.
“It is a topic that we have thought of many times over the past several years,” Chairman Barry Epply said. “I think we stand ready to participate in the process. The question becomes, what is the best path to follow?”
Ferguson informed the commissioners of a variety of issues with the property that constitute a public safety hazard. These included a number of holes by which trespassers may gain entry to dangerous areas of the building.
“It is not only an eyesore; it is a public hazard that we have to take care of,” he said.
One point of concern was whether the town could receive multiple grants from OCRA, as they currently have a $400,000 grant from the office for drinking water system improvements. Ferguson assured the commissioners that OCRA has confirmed that they can receive multiple grants.
The current stumbling block for the project is ownership of the property. County Attorney Steve Downs informed the town’s representatives of their options.
The property is currently in the name of the Roann Family Recreation Center, a defunct organization. A court-appointed receiver holds the title. Downs said the town could restart the organization, or get a court order requiring the title to be transferred to the town.
“I think you need to conclude the receivership and get title of the property in someone’s name,” he said.
Ferguson asked that the town and the county become joint owners of the property. The commissioners decided to take the issue under advisement in order to consult with Downs, and told Ferguson to pursue grant options in the meantime.
In other news, the commissioners approved an ordinance to make modifications to the weight limits of three county bridges. Ordinance 85-10-2016 makes the following changes: the bridge over Bechtold Ditch on 300 E, just north of 1100 N, is now posted at 15 tons; the posting was removed from the bridge on 900 N just east of 500 E; and the bridge located on 1200 S just east of 600 W spanning Cart Creek was reduced to 12 tons.