Cambridge cat colony control collects contributions

The Town of Cambridge City is taking further steps to ensure its stray cat populations shrink over time, including taking donations to support spay/neuter clinics there.

At its Nov. 10 town council meeting, members unanimously passed an ordinance creating a new stray and feral cat fund. It will not use any existing taxpayer dollars, but will accept donations from those who want to contribute to addressing the area’s cat challenges.

The move came as a part of exploring a partnership with the Animal Care Alliance, first reported in the Oct. 29 WWN, which offers traveling trap/neuter/release clinics where the animals are sterilized, vaccinated and any minor medical issues are addressed. If ACA workers find animals that are ill beyond hope of recovery, they can also provide humane euthanasia. ACA would charge around $60 per cat for the service, and representatives indicated to council member Gary Cole that while some grant money might be available to subsidize their services, it would be best to show a financial commitment on the part of the community.

The town has been struggling to find solutions to a stray cat colony that has been irritating residents. Jim Walker, who lives on Church Street, spoke at the meeting to say he appreciated council taking action. He said that though he is not a “cat hater,” the cats are causing damage to one of his vehicles and other property, and he hopes for some kind of solution soon.

In October, Cole offered to contribute $1,000 toward that cause, and said others have since indicated an interest in adding their own donations to help. The new fund will make that possible.

Checks can be made out to Town of Cambridge City and mailed to or dropped off at town hall, 127 N. Foote St. Those with questions about the fund can call 765-478-3522.

Blight, tent living and property updates

Public works superintendent Joe Webb shared updates about efforts to address blighted properties in town. Results have been mixed; Webb sees some property owners responding quickly to concerns and cited several examples of action being taken, while other attempts to make contact seem to go nowhere. In some cases progress has been made only to see things slide backward weeks or months later. “It’s aggravating to say the least,” Webb said.

Town attorney Bob Bever confirmed that it is not legal to use a tent as a full-time residence in town limits. State building codes require that residential dwellings meet certain requirements not satisfied by a tent. Violations can result in fines up to $2,500 and other legal action. The town plans to use the findings to address an active concern on Shawnee Avenue.

Efforts are progressing to sell a town-owned property on South Walnut Street; a public notice appears in this issue of the WWN indicating that offers for purchase will be accepted through Dec. 8. The asking price is $7,500.

Bever said that in his research on the property, he found it was originally deeded to the town in 1900 with a requirement that any resale would be to a new owner with commercial manufacturing interest, or if two-thirds of property owners in the town approved otherwise.

Not looking to hold a special election for the sale, Bever said he believed they could work out the details with any buyer.

Land bank gets town support

After initially wondering how the town could afford to participate in a land bank being formed by the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, council members eventually decided they couldn’t afford not to.

The project would aim to protect properties being sold in the area from being snatched up by out-of-town buyers at a discount and then left to deteriorate. Instead, the EDC and land bank partners would work to attract grants and other funds to help ensure those properties go to a use that benefits the community.

The buy-in for Cambridge City is $5,000, and council members said they support clerk-treasurer Sherry Ervin working with Bever to finalize the details about which city funds would be used to pay the fee.

Council member Jim King advocated strongly for joining, saying it would give the town a seat at the table when important funding decisions are being made.

Council will take a final vote on the funding and participation plan at its Dec. 8 meeting.

Other business

Council conducted various other business, including:

• Council signed an interlocal agreement to accept approximately $71,000 in emergency communications equipment from the county. The transfer is a part of the county’s move to an 800MHz radio system. The town will be responsible for maintenance, upkeep and replacement after the first year warranty expires. The new system should be fully online in early 2026.
• Council learned that funds from the Wayne County Foundation have been approved to purchase security cameras to be installed in Creitz Park. The equipment is being ordered and is expected to be installed in the coming weeks.
• Council approved an increase in fees for cemetery work required on weekends and holidays. The current fee structure was sometimes not covering overtime labor costs for grave opening and closing on those days. They added $150, so the new Saturday fee is $350 and the new Sunday and holiday fee is $450.
• Council reviewed the interlocal agreement for police services with Dublin, which expires at the end of the year. It’s currently at $16,500 per year. They’ll propose a three-year renewal with gradual fee increases, up to $18,190 in the third year, to reflect the town’s own rising cost of personnel and services.
• The town will work to get bids for tower work to comply with Indiana Department of Environmental Management, one in town and one at the industrial park.