Fire rating improves

Portland’s safety rating has improved.
Fire chief Mike Weitzel informed Portland City Council on Monday that the fire department’s Insurance Services Office rating has changed to a four from a five.
Council also appropriated additional funds for construction of Portland Water Park and improvements to Jay Garment Antique Mall.
The Insurance Services Office score measures the department’s ability, also factoring in the work of police, water department and local dispatchers, to perform certain services, and rates them based on a one to 10 scale with one being the best. The score is adjusted every 10 years.
“There are only 40 ones in the country,” Weitzel said.
The score is one of the factors used when determining homeowners and business property insurance rates, he added. Whether rates go down because of the improvement is up to the individual insurance carriers.
Council — Janet Powers, Mark Hedges, Michele Brewster, Bill Gibson, Don Gillespie, Kent McClung and Judy Aker — made an additional appropriation of $105,865 too the pool construction fund to pay for the Portland Water Park
Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman also noted everything is “getting out of the way” at the new facility. He said the finish will be put on the concrete base and walls of the pool soon. The opening date is still scheduled for May 31st.
Council members also made an additional appropriation of $50,000 into the Economic Development Income Tax fund for capital improvements to the antique mall at 500 S. Meridian St.
Pat and Brad Daniels came to council in December and were approved for an EDIT grant to help purchase and renovate the mall in to an event hall.
They agreed to provide monthly reports and used their home as collateral for the grant. If they do not meet the requirements of the grant they will have to pay it back as a loan.
The couple already received the first installment and will received the last payment around the last week of May.
In other business, council:
•Approved a request from Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association president Jack Rouch to close Morton Street the Friday before the event, Aug. 19, through the Monday after, Aug. 29. He also noted this is the show’s 51st year.
•Heard Powers raise concerns about the Bailey Building, located at the southwest corner of Main and Commerce streets, because it has been brought up several times to her and in The Commercial Review. Geesaman said he believes the building is a safety hazard and the redevelopment commission is attempting to find something to do with the property.
•Heard Aker’s worry about the home at 509 W. High St. that sits on top of a 24-inch diameter sewer line that collapsed. The pipe is essential to relieving flooding on the west side of the city.
Field Property Management of Tipp City, Ohio, oversees the location for Bank of America, which owns the abandoned house.
Geesaman said he would hate to condemn the home, but may have to if the bank doesn’t take action. He added he will probably give the company to the end of the week and then speak with the city attorney.
McClung wondered if the city could take control the property through eminent domain. If so, the owner would have to be paid at a fair market value.
•Heard from Brewster that the traffic light at Meridian and Water streets is slow and needs to be fixed. City Attorney Bill Hinkle mentioned the light at Meridian and Walnut streets also need work. Geesaman said the city will contact the Indiana Department of Transportation and let it know about the problems.
•Learned the preview for those in the WIPB documentary, “Now Entering … Portland” has been pushed back to April because the footage is still getting edited. Geesaman noted the showing will be held at The Ritz Theater, 202 N. Meridian St., Portland.
•Paid claims totaling $1,132,845.26.