Clermont Tree Planting Set for April 11

(posted Feb 17)

Although Clermont Town Council President Bob Hinshaw refused to give council support for the Clermont Economic Development Committee's plan to plant trees, the group is still planning to start on April 11. The CEDC was awarded a Keep Indianapolis Beautiful grant in November as part of KIB's goal to plant 100,000 trees over the next ten years. The trees are free through the grant.

The committee will plant the trees on the east side of town by the railroad bridge and behind the alternation shop.

Councilor Walt Miller, who organized the committee for the tree planting, requested the council's support at its Feb 12 meeting.

Hinshaw said "it's a little late to be asking for council approval."

He did not want to entertain a motion of support since he had very little knowledge of the event.

CEDC member Bernie Denny told the council that KIB is expected to furnish natives trees of Buckeye, Cherry and Maple. The committee said they have approval from property owners, but did not identify specific locations. The committee is still looking for volunteers to help plant the trees. Residents can have a free tree in their yard if they commit to caring for the tree for the first three seasons by watering a minimum of five gallons per week .

Councilor Vonda Kiger wished them luck, saying it is difficult to receive long term commitments to care for the trees. She said Clermont Pride purchased trees from KIB in the past and in the end, only a few did all of the work, including herself.

Resident Linda Lucas warned that Miller Pipeline's previous tree planting was not successful. She said the pine trees were stolen shortly after they were planted.

The council also voted to spend a total of $4,200 on Christmas decorations. The train decoration will be repaired for $1,200 and up to $3,000 was authorized for new decorations. The council stopped short of purchasing $2,000 worth of Spring banners after Linda Backus reminded them they just spent $4,200.

Councilor Nancy Baxter moved the Old Fashion Days back to September 19 and 20 so the Ben Davis Band could participate. She said they received some complaints last year when the band could not participate in June. Last year, Baxter was apprehensive about combining the Old Fashion Days with the Clermont Rodeo because she was not sure the band could participate when the decision was made in February.

Ron Penn, from the Rodeo Roundup Radio Show, was disappointed the Old Fashion Days is pulling away from the 59th Annual Clermont Rodeo Show, scheduled June 19 and 20. He requested council funding for the event this year.

Penn said that Sancho, the 2,200 pound Longhorn Steer, will not appear this year, but to expect a clone of Sancho's grandfather to appear next year. Sancho was a crowd pleaser with horns measuring 6 feet from tip to tip.

Hinshaw gave a verbal commitment to support, but no actual dollars were committed. The council is expected to determine a dollar amount at its March meeting. Penn said that Across Indiana did an eight minute program on Clermont Rodeo. He is hoping it will air again in June, but he is not sure since Across Indiana was one of WFYI's budget cuts. Penn wanted to show the eight minute show to the council, but no one had a DVD player. The council will try to make arrangements at the March 12 meeting to view it.

Town Attorney Robert Lutz requested a copy to take to the county's public access cable channel 16 to air as a means to promote the town.

Lutz also reported the alley behind the proposed gas station at the southeast corner of Raceway and US 136 has finally been vacated by the Marion County Platt Committee to Marathon Oil. The Plat committee had several commitments that Marathon must comply in order to build the new station. The company is required to "bond over" the cost of construction of the alley improvements to comply with DPW standards. DPW will then dedicate the alley to the town for maintenance. Marathon also has to provide an easement for a turnaround so fire trucks can use the alley. No date has been announced as to when Marathon will break ground.