By Bady Extin | The Times-Post
LAPEL — Lapel town council President Teresa Retherford announced her resignation effective immediately at the council’s Sept. 15 meeting.
Retherford, a Republican, started her term on the council in January 2020.
In her first two years on council, Chad Blake was president; Retherford took over the role at the beginning of this year. Blake has served as vice president since that time.
Phone calls to Retherford and other council members seeking comment were not returned by press time.
Madison County Republican Chairman Russ Willis said Retherford’s resignation “was a surpirse … but she’s taken a job and is not going to be serving on the council.”
He said there will be a party caucus at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 to determine a replacement for Retherford.
“Anyone who wants to run for that position has to have paperwork turned in by 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 7, Friday,” he said.
People interested should contact Willis at 765-643-4871 for details.
Willis said normally when a council president steps down the vice-president fills in as president. Then, after the position is filled, the council elects a new president.
The person who ends up replacing Retherford will serve the remainder of her term, which expires Dec. 31, 2023, Willis said.
“If they want to continue in that council seat, they’ll need to run for election next year.”
Park project
The Lapel Parks Department is moving ahead with a project to update Brookside Park.
Using $8,000 from the town and $6,000 in grant funds awarded through South Madison Community Foundation, the parks department now can begin its estimated $13,000 “Brookside Restoration Project.”
The work — which is planned in three parts — will give the south side of the park a new look and use.
Part I is the creation of a 1 1/2-mile nature trail.
Part II is the planting 380 trees and shrubs in an area between two existing parking lots.
Part III involves extending the trail another quarter mile down by the creek that runs through the park.
Police Department Update
The Lapel Police Department has acquired a variety of new equipment.
It has purchased a Flock Safety Camera to be set up at the town wastewater plant.
Flock cameras are used to automatically read license plates, and can send instant alerts to officers when they identify stolen cars or cars that are of interest to the department.
The department is awaiting permits from Indiana Department of Transportation to allow the installation of the camera system.
LPD has acquired body cameras and tasers for their officers.
The body cameras will be set up by Motorola beginning on Oct. 31.
The department is working on training employees in taser use before the devices go into service.
Roadwork
Concrete work on 10th and 4th streets is set to begin by the middle of October. All sidewalks and curb ramps should be finished by this winter, and then asphalt work will begin in the spring.
The project is expected to be completed by June 2023.
