Redkey hires new contract mower

REDKEY - Just in time for the annual Independence holiday festivities at Morgan Park, town council members Thursday afternoon voted to switch lawn mowing services.

A contract for the 2010 mowing season was awarded in the spring to low bidder J.W. Lawn Care of the rural Redkey-Albany area. The contract called for mowing town properties, including Morgan Park, for $600 a month, starting in April and continuing through the growing season. Town officials agreed to supply the fuel, while J.W. Lawn Care provided the labor and equipment.

However, at Thursday's meeting town council members said that Paul Fulkerson of J.W. Lawn Care was asking that the firm be released from its contractual obligations, and they agreed to do so.

Town officials had been concerned that the grass was not being mowed often enough and was growing too tall.

Council member Terri Taylor said the next lowest bidder had been asked to take over the contract at J.W. Lawn Care's original bid price, and that firm, Eric Young Landscaping Service of Redkey, agreed with the request.

Redkey council members unanimously approved having Young commence mowing work immediately.

In other business Thursday afternoon, council members approved a contribution of $200 to the Redkey Volunteer Fire Department's 2010 fireworks fund. Councilman Jim Funkhouser made a motion to take the $200 from the town's promotional fund, if possible. Clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby was not present at Thursday's meeting to say how much money was available in that fund.

Also Thursday, town council members heard complaints from residents about relocation of water mains and road construction along Ind. 1.

Residents questioned if the new water mains were deep enough to survive a harsh winter.

Town president Doug Stanley said he would try to schedule a meeting at town hall for residents to discuss their concerns with representatives from the city's consulting engineers, Commonwealth Engineers of Indianapolis.[[In-content Ad]]