Wellman resignation announced

The county will be getting a new highway superintendent.

Jay County Commissioners made the impending change official Monday when they accepted a letter of resignation from current superintendent Ken Wellman.

They also discussed progress in reviewing “not thru truck” roads and an upcoming Indiana Department of Transportation project, and approved a partnership for escrow services.

Wellman was not at Monday’s meeting, having instead sent a letter to be read by commissioner Chad Aker.

“After 15 years, it feels like leaving a family,” said Wellman in the letter. “I’ve really enjoyed the job, but I’m excited about what lies ahead. …

“I would like to thank the commissioners past and present for allowing me to serve the residents of Jay County.”

Wellman, 64, said this morning that he doesn’t have specific plans, but wants to find a part-time job and enjoy time with his four children and nine grandchildren.

“I want to slow down a little bit,” he said.

Wellman has agreed to stay on the job he has served in since February 2004 until commissioners are able to hire a replacement. Prior to leading the highway department he was a Portland Police Officer for 21 years.

Commissioners Chuck Huffman, Mike Leonhard and Aker agreed to immediately begin advertising the position.

They also talked with Dan Watson about the ongoing process of reviewing the county’s truck ordinance after hearing complaints from both local farmers and residents over the last few months. Watson has been taking traffic counts on some county roads and will have recommendations to present to commissioners at 9:30 a.m. April 8. 

Responding to a request by resident Cindy Bracy, commissioners also asked Jay County Sheriff Dwane Ford to do a study of semi traffic accidents dating back to 2015. Plans call for that also to be presented at the next meeting.

Watson and commissioners also expressed concern about plans to close U.S. 27 just north of county road 500 North for a bridge project that is planned to start on or after April 1.

Original plans had called for a traffic signal at the site, as had been used on a pair of similar projects in Adams County, Watson said. But now plans call for closing the highway, leading to concerns about truck traffic not using the official Indiana 18, Indiana 1, Indiana 26 detour.

Huffman said he would contact State Sen. Travis Holdman to see if anything can be done to keep the highway open during construction.

Commissioners also approved partnering with GovPro for escrow services for the county treasurer’s office. Treasurer Paula Miller explained that taxes that are handled via mortgage payments can causing bookkeeping issues, especially when properties change hands. GovPro works with lenders to make sure payments are accurate, with no cost to the county.

Miller also told commissioners her office is in need of a new copy machine. They requested that she come back with at least three quotes.

In other business, commissioners:

•Learned form auditor Anna Culy that the county’s blanket bond has been canceled because of claim activity. Culy will work to get quotes to get a new bond in place prior to May 1.

•Agreed to contribute half of the $23,000 cost for a Portland Rockets mural on the south side of The Ritz Theatre. Those spearheading the mural project plan to approach The City of Portland about funding as well.

•Approved the following: The purchase of a trailer for the surveyor’s office from Leonhard at a cost of $500, with Leonhard abstaining from the vote; the appointment of Janet Confer to the Jefferson Township Advisory Board following the resignation of Chuck Lamken; the donation of several bales of hay currently being stored at the retirement center for the Nebraska flood relief effort being organized by Jay County native Megan Taylor; polling places for the primary election May 7 with no changes from previous sites.

•OK’d several claims, including $4,655 to PennCare for a new ventilator for Jay Emergency Medical Service, $2,896.74 to Cleaver Cabling for equipment installed at the health department office, $432.50 to Choice One Engineering for work related to the county’s Stellar Regional application, $400 to the Indiana County Auditors’ Association for conference fees and $1,243.22 for insurance for the retirement center.

•Heard a question about the hiring of a new head of Jay County Emergency Management following the retirement of Ralph Frazee. Commissioners said they are working to fill that position.

•Were reminded by Culy that a special county council meeting has been set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss payroll issues for the sheriff’s office.

•Heard a reminder from Culy that county employees will receive a check Friday for one week of work instead of the usual two. This is part of the county’s effort to get all employees on the same two-week rotation in compliance with Indiana Code.