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Town Council members voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution to start the clock on a 30-day remonstrance period -- a necessary move before a bond can be issued -- with Ron Thomas voting against.
Westfield officials this week took the first steps toward issuing a $4 million bond to improve two parks and upgrade the town's computer systems.
Town Manager Jerry Rosenberger said parks and information technology each would be allotted $2 million of the 13- to 15-year general obligation bond.
Town Council members voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution to start the clock on a 30-day remonstrance period -- a necessary move before a bond can be issued -- with Ron Thomas voting against. The bond ordinance will be introduced at the April meeting.
Development director Kevin Buchheit said Asa Bales Park and Quaker Park are the two being considered for major improvements. Simon Moon Park could get some funding for improvements if money is left after the other projects are complete.
Asa Bales Park is between Hoover Street and Main Street -- Ind. 32 -- just west of Union Street. Quaker Park is behind the public safety building, south of Ind. 32.
"(This) would give us completely built-out parks on both sides of U.S. 31," Buchheit said.
Several key components would be added to Asa Bales, including a new entrance, shelters, skate park, relocation of the playground, bridges and additional parking.
Quaker Park would get main entrance improvements, two trail heads for Midland Trace Trail, a possible splash park, basketball courts, corporate shelter and sports fields.
"Parks are a quality of life issue," Buchheit said, "and (this) is important to industries looking to relocate."
Councilman Jack Hart agreed.
"We've been trying to play catch-up for a long time," he said. "It's time we move forward with these projects, so people can enjoy these things, not (just) talk about them."
Former council member Mic Mead told the council that while he supports the parks, the town should wait before making a commitment.
"I don't believe (you've) taken into consideration that (we) will soon be faced with the destruction of a major part of the business community when U.S. 31 is expanded. Every single business (along) the west side of the highway will be taken," Mead said.
He added that borrowing such a large amount at this time would be risky and put an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
Accountant Jim Treat said a $200,000 home would see about $50 per year in increased property taxes.
Mike Fisher, Westfield's director of information technology, painted a gloomy picture of the town's technology future if concerns aren't addressed immediately.
"Virus and worm infections shut down our network several times in 2004," Fisher said. "Adware and spyware (have) brought PCs and our network to a halt with excessive Internet traffic and inappropriate pop-ups."
He says servers are at capacity, and all need to be replaced. He is calling for a major restructuring. Rebuilding the system would take 12-18 months, Fisher said.
Thomas expressed concern about the lack of information on the town's Web site. He said if the site can't be made right now, how will people believe their money is being spent for a good reason?
Washington Township Parks Director Melody Sweat questioned what happens if annexation of neighboring township land doesn't go through, and the bond debt isn't then spread over a broader population base.
Rosenberger said the town has taken a conservative approach to the bond, using current estimates and not adding in possible future growth in western Washington Township.
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SAME ARTICLE ALSO APPEARS IN THE STAR NORTH PAGE N01 ON SAME DAY.
Caption: GovernmentGrowth & Development
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