Local News 

Coronavirus roundup for March 17th: Bartholomew County, Seymour, Edinburgh, Solid Waste, North Vernon updates

John Clark

Bartholomew County update

You are all aware of the many actions being taken by the federal government, State of Indiana, local governments, local health care providers, businesses, etc. to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 the Coronavirus. We will work to keep you as updated as possible on this ever changing situation.

GOAL: The goal of these actions is to keep services running while protecting the health and safety of our employees and the public. While our office will remain open at this time, we will be following the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Indiana State Health Department and our local medical professionals. You may see a change in staffing numbers or accessibility throughout our buildings along with new signage posting office numbers to contact.

We are encouraging the public to conduct as much business as possible via telephone, email, or online. Certain offices have drop boxes that can be utilized for payments and other offices may be placing drop boxes outside their doors for any documents that can be dropped off. If you have any questions, please call the respective office prior to coming in.

Public Nursing is encouraging the re-scheduling of any routine appointments and advises that any new appointments will not be scheduled until after June.

For the most up to date information on the local response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) please visit our county webpage at https://www.bartholomew.in.gov/emergency-management.html#covid-19.

City of Seymour update

The city of Seymour will be following Indiana Governor Holcombs best practices advice to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19. In an effort to flatten the curve we encourage everyone to abide by the recommendation to postpone any events with an expected attendance of over 50 people. Restaurants and bars are required per the recommendations to switch menus to takeout and delivery only.

The Community Center is closed this week for maintenance work. It will remain closed through April 3rd. We are also canceling all trips from the center in an effort to protect our regular visitors. As we realize not everyone will stay home and allow this virus a chance to clear its course, Park and Recreation will take up a more frequent plan to sanitize our parks. On that note, all City Park restrooms will be open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, but remain closed during the weekend.

The police department has suspended walk-in fingerprinting at this time. Seymour Fire Department is suspending firehouse visits and outreach programs.

We also request that if you need to pay a sewer bill to please consider mailing in your payment, paying it online, or leaving it in the overnight drop located at city hall. Paperwork that needs dropped off for Seymour Housing Authority may also be left in the overnight drop at city hall as well.

Services that will continue as normal are as follows.

  • First responders will continue to perform their duties at this stressful time.
  • City Hall will remain open due to rarely serving more than 10 in one meeting.
  • Transit will continue to transport riders to their jobs, medical appointments, and other locations.
  • Planning and Zoning will continue to issue permits and licenses.

While I know this will not be the easiest time for anyone, I hope you realize that we are indeed trying to flatten the curve and keep our medical facilities as open as possible for those in need. Please be considerate of others and stay home if you are not feeling well.

Many services can be taken care of with a phone call or email. I hope that you will be understanding as events have to be postponed and that you will attend them and more when the restrictions are lifted in the future. We will continue to stay as current as possible to the ever-changing details and update you with our course of action as needed.
We are all in this together, local food establishments are open for carry out services and would appreciate your support, grab a carry out and plan a family game night. As you have to go out for necessary items please remember to be kind to one another.

Columbus Township update

Beginning Wednesday, 3/18, the Columbus Township Trustees office will not be open to the public for business, as all staff will be working remotely.

Anyone needing Assistance should call the office at 812-372-8249 and leave a message. They will receive a return phone call from a Case Worker to begin the application process. We are fully prepared to render assistance remotely, and expect to do so until the current COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District update

The Bartholomew County Solid Waste District (BCSWMD) aims to continue to provide essential services of reuse, recycling, and waste disposal for Bartholomew County residents and businesses. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 virus we need to limit the number of personal interactions for our staff to meet the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Indiana State Health Department, and local medical professionals while maintaining essential services.

Effective immediately, we will limit use of the Columbus/Bartholomew County Recycling Center, 720 South Mapleton Street, to business customers only. We will continue to operate reuse, recycling, and waste disposal services at the Bartholomew County Landfill, 811 East County Road 450 South. Residential Recycling Services and limited Tox-Away services can be utilized at the Bartholomew County Landfill, 811 East County Road 450 South, for residents. Business customers will be accepted at Columbus/Bartholomew County Recycling Center and Columbus/Bartholomew County Yard Waste Site, but we would appreciate businesses calling ahead at 812-376-2614. The Commercial Cardboard and Office Paper Curbside Recycling Program will continue to collect from businesses.

Bartholomew County Assessor’s office changes

Ginny Whipple, Bartholomew County Assessor, announced rules for submitting Personal Property Forms effective immediately.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Whipple said, my office will only accept personal property filings by mail, email, telephone or by appointment. If you have had no change from last year, the easiest way to file is over the phone, she said.

I hate to inconvenience the taxpayers, but this is for their good and the safety of the office staff, Whipple stated. As the virus is extremely contagious and a major threat to certain groups of people we are trying to limit the traffic in our office.

Business and Farm Personal Property Forms are due either in the office or postmarked by May 15th. Forms may be obtained online at www.in.gov/dlgf/4971.htm or by emailing [email protected]. You may also call 812-379-1505 to have forms mailed.

Town of Edinburgh update

From: J.T. Doane, Town Manager

I wanted to share with you the measures that the Edinburgh Town Council are taking with regard to the COVID-19 (or commonly referred to as the coronavirus) issue. The Town Council met in an emergency session at 8:00 A.M. on March 14, 2020 in the Edinburgh Town Hall to discuss and approve measures regarding COVID19. All of these measures are precautionary and intended to keep our citizens safe and limit the possible exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Although we are not aware of any persons in Edinburgh that have tested positive for COVID19, we feel it is necessary to be consistent with the State and other local governments in putting in place measures to keep our citizens safe.

First, rest assured all of the measures taken will not limit or halt any of the governmental services that the Town provides to our citizens. We will continue to provide quality services and have available personnel to assist you with any issues you are having. This would include our first responders – we will continue to provide both police and fire protection services as we have in the past.

Second, myself; each department superintendent; Chief Herron; and Chief Little; has been and will continue to consult with both local and state officials regarding COVID-19. This will ensure we have the latest and most accurate information. We will continue to monitor the situation and take further precautionary actions if needed.

Thus to provide precautionary measures for our citizens, the Town Council is taking the following measures effective Monday, March 16, 2020 to Monday, April 13, 2020:

  • Town Hall
    • Access to the Town Hall will be restricted for emergency purposes only.
    • We encourage all citizens to pay their utility bills online, with any processing fee
      being waived. We also will encourage citizens to utilize the overnight drop-box at the Town Hall to submit their utility bill payments.
    • The Town Hall telephone number (812-526-3512) and utility office number (812-526-3514) will still be staffed and able to provide assistance to anyone in need or answer any questions.
  • Edinburgh Parks and Recreation.
    • All activities and access to Sports Complex will be suspended until April 13, 2020.
    • All baseball and softball games at the Edinburgh ball diamonds will be suspended until April 13, 2020.
    • All rentals of campsites will be cancelled up to April 13, 2020 with a full refund of any deposit made.
    • The BASE program will be suspended until April 13, 2020.
  • John Drybread Community Center
    • All activities and access to the Community Center will be suspended until April 13, 2020.
  • Timbergate Golf Course
    • The Timbergate golf course will remain open but access to the club house will be limited.
  • Waste Water Department
    • Access to the compactor will be suspended until April 13, 2020.
  • Edinburgh Recycling Depot
    • The implementation of the Recycle Center will be delayed until April 13, 2020.

The Edinburgh Town Council will review and assess these actions taken at their meeting on April 13, 2020 to decide if such action shall be extended. Please contact the Edinburgh Town Hall with any questions or concerns you may have regarding COVID-19 or the actions taken above.

City of North Vernon update

In an effort to keep city employees and the community safe we are restricting public access to City Hall and other department offices until further notice. All departments will still be working so if you are in need of assistance please call:

  • Mayor’s Office: 812-346-3789
  • Clerk-Treasurer: 812-346-5907
  • Utilities Office: 812-346-4691
  • Street Department: 812-346-1616
  • Parks & Recreation: 812-346-9371
  • Police Department: 812-346-1466
  • Fire Department: 812-346-3300

Clifford Volunteer Fire Department update

After careful consideration, we have made the decision to cancel the fish fry scheduled for April 25th. We have done this with best interests of the public’s health and wellness in mind along with recommendations from the CDC and the governor.

Along with this, Harold Capper Hall will not be available for rent or any public use through April 10th. In the interim, we will be evaluating the COVID situation to determine a better timeline.

We do want to assure everyone that our department will still be responding to any emergency calls as normal.

Thank you for supporting Clifford Volunteer Fire Department. We look forward to seeing all of you soon.