Vehicle concerns on Lapel council radar

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LAPEL — The Lapel Town Council moved to limit the size of vehicles allowed on Main Street and the speed of vehicles in another part of town.

The council gave its preliminary nod on Thursday, Nov. 3, to an ordinance limiting heavy truck traffic on Main Street.

Town attorney Bill Byers said the ordinance prohibits vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds and includes semitrailers but excludes farm equipment and traffic delivering to the grain elevator.

The ordinance also allows for local deliveries, but drivers must provide proof of the delivery destination.

The second reading of the ordinance is set for the Nov. 17 regular meeting.

Council President Michael Cates said the council will take action in response to one resident’s complaints about speeding in her neighborhood.

The woman said there are children playing in the area of Erie and Fourth streets. Traffic from one direction is in an alley that was opened with easement rights from her property, she said. She asked permission to put a chain across her property that could be easily removed for emergency vehicles.

Pearson asked her to provide a copy of her deed showing the easement before the council takes corrective action.

The council then said it would consider posting more speed limit signs or stop signs on Third and Fourth streets to slow down drivers.

In other news, the council said it will begin advertising soon for bids for the installation of new gas lines on the south side of town.

Cates said he was mistaken when he called for approval of installation of natural gas lines from County Roads 400S to 700S during the Oct. 20 meeting. At that time, Cates said he had been given an estimate for $170,000. The correct estimate was $261,360, Cates said.

Before giving a nod to go forward, Byers said the town should get more information on the cost of state permits and other related costs.

Council member Dave Taylor said the biggest cost for the project will be running pipelines under Ind. 38.

The area also will be near Ind. 13, and council member Tony Pearson suggested running lines just east of Ind. 13.

Byers said the council must advertise to seek bids.

Cates asked if state law requires advertising for bids. Lapel customers are covered under the town’s gas company, and another gas company may be competing for customers in the area, according to Cates.

The land between 400S and 700S was annexed into Lapel in 2014.

In other business:

• Hershel Hinkle, head of the Lapel Community Association, thanked the council for covering the cost of American flags for distribution in Lapel. Cates then put in his order for a new flag and confirmed the $7 charge.

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