INGALLS — Ingalls is preparing for spring and warm weather, when people want to get out and enjoy areas around town.
The council has approved funds to repair a popular community park shelter and purchase playground equipment, as well as funds to purchase used police vehicles.
Those were just a few of the items addressed by the council in March.
In park business, after some discussion between council members, the group agreed to buy playground equipment from Miracle Playground for Jesse Ireton Memorial Park at a cost of $21,999.
The equipment will be the centerpiece for the town park; it will feature several slides and climbing areas and can hold up to 55 children at one time.
In other park business, after a lengthy discussion with Brandon Heiser of Heiser Construction, the council agreed to approve $6,000 for a new roof on the shelter house at Interurban Park.
The roof has been sagging in the middle for some time and was in need of repair to make the shelter safe for community members to fully enjoy.
AquaIndiana is expected to donate $5,000 to the park, with the money earmarked for the roof project.
The remaining $1,000 will come from the town’s park fund, officials said. The work is expected to be completed as soon as weather allows but is contingent on the $5,000 donation, town officials said.
In the town manager’s report, Tim Millikan recommended a $2,800 grant from the South Madison Community Foundation be used to install a handicapped- accessible parking pad at Interurban Park and a handicapped-accessible van pad with a ramp at Ireton Park.
The council plans to discuss the approval and use of the funds during an upcoming meeting.
In police business, town marshal Chris Thompson asked town leaders to approve funds for his department to purchase a 2013 Tahoe for $6,700. The council allocated $7,500 for the new vehicle.
The extra $800, coupled with another $700 the department had, will allow the police department to purchase another police car, a 2013 Ford Crown Victoria with less than 110,000 miles on it, for $1,500. The department was in need of newer vehicles, the council agreed.
In other news, the street department has hired a new employee, Joseph Swallow.
Swallow has experience with Anderson and Lapel street departments as well as asphalt contractors, Millikan said.
In other street information, pothole patching has been completed, Millikan said.
