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PT Senior Center's future uncertain
The Prairie Township Trustees agreed to renew the lease on the Prairie Township Senior Center for one more year – but any further renewals are uncertain. “We’re all in agreement that if the township doesn’t find a way to find some more resources, that there’s going to have to be some cuts,” Trustee Steve Kennedy said. According to Kennedy, the township plans on proposing a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) on the November ballot. If passed, the JEDD would allow the township to acquire additional tax revenue on local businesses. The senior center opened in June 2004 and costs $31,200 per year to renew its lease. “If that JEDD doesn’t pass, that senior center is going to have to be cut,” Kennedy said, “but we think we owe it to the residents to make that decision.” Waffle House parking easement The trustees authorized the township to complete dealings with Waffle House, concerning the parking lot easement that is holding up the South Grener Phase III project. According to Township Administrator Tracy Hatmaker, the parking easement was originally estimated at costing $110,000, but was adjusted to $35,000 once the right-of-ways were removed from negotiations. Hatmaker said the township negotiated with Waffle House on two occasions, settling with the cost of $57,355. The township agreed to this price after attorneys advised the alternative, proving eminent domain, would prove much more costly. The money spent on the easement will be reimbursed through grant money already secured for the Phase III project. The demolition of the Hometown Inn property was pushed to the week of June 13. Sidewalk Improvement Program According to Hatmaker, due to a high volume of residents interested in this year’s Sidewalk Improvement Program, the Franklin County Engineer recommended the township separate the program from its annual Road Improvement Project. After a bidding process, the township moved to contract with Brookshire Boys Inc.
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