The Washington City Council held their first meeting of 2017 The Council re-elected Allen Brown as president and appointed Mayor Joe Wellman as the City’s representative on the Southern Indiana Development Commission Board. Mayor Wellman re-appointed Councilman Mike Singleton and Diana Snyder to the Board of Public Works and Safety.
The Council also introduced an ordinance amending the building standards for the EZ zoning district to mirror the building and setback requirements for Industrial-1districts. In essence the ordinance says how tall buildings can be and sets the minimum size for lots.
The Board of Public Works and Safety also met and approved the low bids from USA Construction on two of the houses in the Owner-Occupied Rehab Grant Program. Mayor Wellman said that the SIDC is still working on bids for four additional homes. In other business the Board approved the transfer of city employee Ethan Mattingly from the swing shift at the Water Department to the Street Departmeny.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Wellman reported the City will be meeting with INDOT officials and state legislators to discuss Business 50 through Washington. It’s estimated it would take 25 million dollars to upgrade the road through town. City officials were waiting until after the election in November to continue discussions on the road.