MARKLEVILLE — Two Markleville Town Council members asked for more information, and a third said he was hesitant to give the nod, to the development of an off-road vehicle trail connecting Markleville to Shirley.
Resident Cole King took his proposal to the council recently. King said his plan calls for using the abandoned railroad between the southeastern Madison County town to the northeastern Hancock County town for recreation and convenience.
Daniel Roseberry, president of the council, and Matthew Gustin, vice president, said they were interested in hearing more from King; but, they cautioned the town wouldn’t commit money to the project.
King said he learned recently the land once owned by the railroad companies had been sold or otherwise returned to original landowners along the line. He said he contacted some but not all of those owners to determine whether they were willing to sell.
Councilman Bob Fesmire said he owned some land involved in the proposal and had concerns about use for recreation.
“Have you considered the noise level or damage that might be done to crops planted along the trail?” Fesmire asked. Fesmire said he wanted assurances on those issues as well as details on financing and maintaining the trail.
King said he would operate the trail as a private club with membership helping with maintenance and development.
Council told him to bring more information to the panel before they give the proposal serious consideration.
In other business, the council:
• Told Town Marshal Tim Basey to go forward with purchase of material to install speed humps on the north end of Main Street to help with summer traffic. The humps will be removable for colder weather when snow plows will be used to clear the roads.
• Approved a report from Basey on monthly police activity. Part of the report states the intention to seize money and a vehicle impounded during a recent arrest. Basey said the arrest turned up $2,000 in cash. He said paperwork was started to retain the cash; the car will be set aside for a sale later in the year in Madison County, and the town should be able to receive proceeds from that sale. The council said Basey could use the money to purchase a used “Gator” to help with property maintenance and other local activities involving the police department.
• Approved Basey’s request to buy a used Ford Explorer from the Madison County Sheriff’s Department for $1.
• Approved the report from the Park Board on the sale of bricks for the gazebo in the memorial park at Main and State streets. Board chairman Wayne Fox said orders went in for 25 additional bricks, which should be ready in mid-March for installation at the park.
• Approved the request of Clerk-Treasurer Mark Evans to change insurance agents for the town’s coverage. Evans said the town would remain with USI but would receive service from a local agent.
