New stoplights causing traffic snarl
GREENFIELD — New traffic signals at three busy Greenfield intersections are causing traffic backups at peak times of the day, but a state highway spokesman said the problem is only temporary.
The Indiana Department of Transportation has installed new stoplights at State Road 9 and McKenzie Road and State Road 9 and Green Meadows Drive. A third signal will be installed soon at State Road 9 and New Road, and INDOT spokesman Nathan Riggs said the department is waiting until all three intersections are completed before configuring the timing of the lights.
Three intersections in Greenfield are part of a bigger INDOT contract to install new, yellow flashing arrow lights at busy central Indiana intersections.
A flashing yellow arrow allows drivers to make left turns if there are no vehicles or pedestrians coming. The type of signal improves intersection efficiency because it allows for more left turns.
Messy yard could cost you
GREENFIELD — Not keeping up with routine lawn care could cost local residents.
City officials are reminding residents a city ordinance requires them to mow their lawns and rid their yards of weeds. If property owners don’t comply, the city will hire a company to take care of the problem, and the property owner will foot the bill.
Recently, the Greenfield Board of Works and Public Safety approved contracts with several area companies for mowing, trash removal and trimming, which range in cost from $35 to $55 per hour.
City planning director Joanie Fitzwater said those services are needed when property owners fail to take care of their yards and the city has to intervene.
Though the city ordinance doesn’t specify a length for high grass and weeds, Fitzwater said, her office typically steps in when the vegetation grows higher than 4 to 6 inches.
The first step of code enforcement is to issue a five-day written notice stating the property owner must fix the problem. If the property owner doesn’t remedy the issue after five days, the city can hire a company to do so.
And the cost will be passed right along to the property owner.
The clerk-treasurer’s office will send a bill to the property owner for reimbursement for the services. If the bill isn’t paid within 10 days, the city works with the county to put a lien on the property so the amount can be collected with the property’s taxes and paid to the city.
Grant helps county revise economic development website
GREENFIELD — The Hancock Economic Development Council is getting an improved website thanks to a grant from Duke Energy.
The $15,000 grant will help revamp the website in an attempt to attract new businesses to Hancock County and help existing businesses grow. It will fund new website content, mapping, analytics and integration with mobile devices and social media.
The website was last updated three years ago, and without the grant from Duke the economic development council wouldn’t be able to roll out the improvements.
