Clean up in Redkey

REDKEY — Cleaning up vacant lots and cutting weeds is getting a financial boost.
Redkey council members agreed Thursday night to use $5,000 in economic development income tax (EDIT) funds, as approved by the Redkey Economic Development Corporation, to clear lots of debris and cut down weeds that in some locations are more than six feet tall.
REDC member Randy Young said any funds recovered from owners of the vacant property involved will be put back in a cleanup fund so more neglected lots can be cleaned up.
Young said that some of these cleanup projects could require dumpsters to be rented, with old tires and building materials removed. He estimated that the cost of cleaning up one lot might be as high as $500, and suggested targeting the 10 worst properties.
Town council member Doug Stanley said there are lots where weeds and debris are so bad that mowing firms are hesitant to mow because they don’t want their machines damaged.
Council member Phil Philebaum said that in the past the town has tried to contact property owners about cleaning up such lots without much success. Registered letters to some suspected property owners have been returned unopened.
Young said the main aim of the REDC initiative will be to get properties cleaned up so the town looks better to those interested in making future investments to improve the community. Trying to collect money from property owners for the cleanup will be a secondary issue, Young said.
Young said he would like to see action taken quickly before going through the process of trying to force action by property owners.
“Let’s get the worst ones first,” Young said.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, Redkey council members:
•Approved a plan to accept $17,000 as a no-interest loan from the REDC to help pay for paving costs on Logan and George Streets. Young said the minimum payment on this loan will total $1,500 a year.
The town did not have enough money to do all the necessary work on these two streets despite their terrible condition, president Terri Taylor said.
The council’s vote to accept the REDC loan was unanimous.
•Approved a proposal that the police and fire departments should be given keys to all the town buildings.
Reportedly there was a problem getting a key to one of the buildings in Morgan Park during a recent food giveaway program there.
•Learned that a tree, recently struck by lightning at the intersection of Sycamore and Boyce, will need to be removed. The cost estimated at $350.
•Noted that dredging work is needed to clear a section of Halfway Creek. Stanley said he would write a letter to the Jay County surveyor’s office about the problem.
•Listened to a complaint from a resident about a large tree being cut down in front of his house without his approval. Town officials said the tree was on the town’s right-of-way. They added that the tree was hollow and needed to be removed. However, the man continued to complain, and Taylor responded, “It was on town right-of-way, and we don’t have to consult you.”
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