Redkey reacts

REDKEY — Several residents in town don’t want a sober living facility in their neighborhood.

Redkey Town Council heard grievances from the public Thursday about plans from Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition to purchase and renovate the building at 319 N. Meridian St. into a recovery residence for those who have struggled with addiction. 

Julie Barlow spoke on behalf of the group, pointing to a lack of amenities and resources in the community.

“I just feel like it’s not a good fit,” she said. “I mean, it’s 30 steps outside my back door. Can I let my grandkids outside? No.”

She added that Portland has IU Health Jay, as well as more mental health facilities, restaurants, a larger police force and better transportation. Barlow referenced the 68 acres purchased earlier this year by the county and suggested building a new structure on the land.

“Who’s going to supervise these people?” Barlow said. “They’re going to be able to come and go, so what are they going to do? They can’t walk to a job, they can’t walk to a restaurant. They can walk down here to the park, but we have kids.”

Plans are for a facility to house up to 15 residents as well as a house manager.

Barlow and others also expressed a desire to have been informed about the project’s possible location in Redkey sooner in the process, noting it’s been discussed for months.

“Well, I for one am dead-set against it,” said council member Gary Gardner. “I can tell you that right now. They did not even communicate with us about what their intention (is) to do … ”

Redkey residents attended a Jay County Council meeting Dec. 13 during which Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition requested a portion of opioid settlement dollars for a feasibility study and earnest money for the property. (The request has been granted by Jay County Commissioners, although Jay County Council member Randy May told Redkey citizens at the meeting Thursday that commissioner Brian McGalliard plans to make a motion to rescind that decision at their next meeting Wednesday.)

Although the group recently put in an offer for the building, before moving forward with closing on the property Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition’s next steps were to conduct a feasibility study on the house and seek additional grant dollars. If the building were found to be ill-fitted for the facility’s needs, it would need to seek another location.

Town council president Erik Hammers read aloud a letter from Kimbra Reynolds, director of Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition and co-chair on Jay County Opioid Settlement Taskforce. Reynolds explained in her letter that the size of the building and its central location had initially drawn the task force as a potential location for the new facility.

“Our offer on the property at 319 N. Meridian (St.) was contingent upon several key factors: appropriate zoning, feasibility studies, and securing grant funding,” said Reynolds in the letter. “This approach was taken with great care to assess the potential for a recovery residence without causing undue hardship or stress for Redkey’s residents during the exploration phase.”

“Our commitment remains centered on fostering an inclusive environment that actively supports recovery and rehabilitation, a vital component of a compassionate and cohesive community,” the letter continued. “We aim to create a harmonious living environment that benefits recovery residents and the broader community.”

Hammers held up a petition — it decries the act of establishing a sober living facility in Redkey — for those in attendance. He noted plans to be traveling around town and “knocking on peoples’ doors” to get more signatures.

Also during a more than hour-and-a-half-long meeting Thursday, Hammers told council it would need to ask for an extension on a deadline imposed by Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). 

The town had been given until the end of the year to create a plan to eliminate its combined sewer overflow (CSO) that originates in a rural part of the county just north of town and lets out into the creek near Main and George streets. (Because the CSO originates outside of town, council members have been discussing the issue with county officials.) Choice One Engineering is currently conducting a master utility study for the town, and it could provide options for how to deal with the CSO. Gardner suggested re-lining sewer pipes, with town employee Randy Young noting it would be costly.

After a discussion about the town’s options, Brenda Beaty — she will be joining the board in January — noted a plan needs to be sent to IDEM. Council member Chance Retter explained that next steps are to send a letter saying the town cannot make the deadline and ask for an extension. (Failure to meet the deadline could result in fines from IDEM.) Plans are to continue with the utility master study, which isn’t anticipated to be complete until late spring or early summer, and then tackle the issue.

Also, council promoted Zach Moser to town marshal, effective immediately. Moser has been serving as a Redkey police officer since May and plans to attend Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Retter proposed naming Moser to the role, which has been vacant since September. 

Moser has been filling in the department’s duties since former marshal Kyle Denney resigned.

In other business, Floyd Life, Retter, Hammers and Gardner:

•Selected Brooks Construction of Fort Wayne to pave several streets next year for $143,882. Redkey will pay approximately 25% of the cost, with the rest covered by an Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grant. Streets on the schedule for resurfacing are Union Street between Main to Lake streets and between High to Mitchell streets, Mitchell Street between Union Street to Meridian Avenue, Oak Street between Main to Railroad streets, Delaware Avenue between Meridian to Washington streets and Washington Street from Delaware Street to Bell Avenue.

•Approved a $7,500 contract with Jay County Humane Society for animal control in 2024. Schemenaur noted a 90-day out clause available in the agreement, which is new to all Jay communities starting next year.

•Agreed to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday to select an insurance plan and sign end-of-year claims. (Aaron Walter of Barnum-Brown Insurance and Kyle Champ of Portland Insurance both presented plans to council Thursday.)

•OK’d purchasing a new gas furnace for the street department building — its old heater dating back to 1982 recently broke down — for $3,158.52 from D and D Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning of Portland.

•Approved an annual contract with Bill Tressler for excavation services up to $5,452.80 per month in 2024.

•Tabled discussion on zoning, with Schemenaur advising council to speak with John Hemmelgarn, director of Jay/Portland Building and Planning. Gardner used Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition’s proposed facility as a reason to move forward with creating zoning restrictions.

•OK’d a request from Beth Burris to remove a tree in front of the building at 22 W. High St. in order to make room for new doors and ramps.

•Paid $236,579.38 in claims.

•Adjusted $1,272.70 on water bills for leaks.