Intersections will get stop signs

Traffic on Jay County road 200 South is going to be a little slower and a lot safer in the not-too-distant future.
Jay County Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance creating two new four-way stop intersections.
The ordinance, which will take effect after public notice advertising appears in The Commercial Review and signs are placed by the county highway department, creates a four-way stop at the intersection of county road 200 South and Boundary Pike and another four-way stop at the intersection of county roads 200 South and 200 West.
Both of those intersections have been the scene of fatal traffic accidents over the years, and traffic on county road 200 South has increased greatly since the opening of POET Biorefining’s ethanol plant.
County engineer Dan Watson is exploring the possibility of installing solar-powered, lighted stop signs at the intersections.
Commissioners also discussed early consideration of budget proposals for 2017 in an effort to get a better handle on county government spending. One possibility, suggested by county auditor Anna Culy, would be for elected officials to take a one-year pay freeze.
“We’ll look at everything,” said commissioner Faron Parr, not ruling out a pay-freeze.
“A person who’s in this position for the money is in it for the wrong reason,” said commissioner Jim Zimmerman.
In other business, commissioners:
•Learned that a new Jay Emergency Medical Service ambulance has arrived and is being outfitted with radio equipment and medical supplies this week.
•Discussed concerns about the condition of the driveway to Freeman Scouting Facility near the Jay County Landfill. The facility will be the site of three Jefferson Township polling places on Election Day, May 3. Commissioners will be contacting staff at the landfill in an attempt to have the drive repaired in time.
•Approved revised policies and procedures for JEMS.
•Said no date has yet been set for a public meeting to review changes in confined feeding operation setbacks recommended by the Jay County Plan Commission.
•Appointed Tracy Huelskamp to the Jay County Public Library Board of Trustees.
•Appointed Scott Benter, Pennville, and Rhonda Mock Short, Redkey, to the Jay County Tourism board.