Spay/neuter donations near $2,500

Cambridge City’s council formally approved donations toward efforts to improve quality of life for stray cats and the humans in their neighborhoods.

At its Dec. 8 meeting, council thanked donors for $2,470 to trap, neuter and release cats. The top priority is the East Church Street colony.

Donors to date are Councilors Gary Cole ($1,000), Mike Amick ($250) and Jim McLane ($200); $500 each from Marilyn Lyons and Philip/Georgette Langholtz; and Jim and Cheryl Bussell, $20.

Dr. Stacy Kostiuk of Animal Care Alliance recommends drawing the cats to what’s believed to be town-owned land behind the road and yards where cats gather. If a resident who’s been feeding them moves their chow and the town buys some outdoor shelters, she believed ACA can trap them more easily.

Cole said he’s fearful many cats aren’t healthy. ACA would humanely euthanize ill cats at no additional charge.

Kostiuk also recommended high-pitched devices ($15 each) that would help keep cats out of residents’ yards. Cole supports using donated funds to provide them for interested neighbors. He’ll research if they’re offensive to dogs.

Cole said he’s learned of additional pledges coming after the town takes its first actions.

Town attorney Bob Bever encouraged getting a written quote for ACA’s services, such as a per-cat cost, and the outdoor shelters, and approving it at a future meeting. Bever said hiring ACA’s services reduces the town’s risks, such as pet owners unhappy their cat was spayed or neutered, even if it was outdoors.

Alcohol

Bever said Indiana law won’t allow permits for alcoholic beverages to be served on premises in towns of less than 5,000 residents if the legislative body didn’t have an ordinance allowing them.

No one can find that local ordinance, but at least one restaurant already serves alcohol, so it’s believed to have previously existed.

Council reaffirmed that a previous ordinance existed so future applicants can seek approval through Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Police Chief Richard Roberts said a permit is currently being sought.

In other business

• Eleven security cameras offering clear pictures have been installed in Creitz Park. They appear to be deterring vandalism. “They’re very good cameras,” Roberts said.
• Council approved higher grave-opening charges on weekends and holidays as labor rises. Saturday’s fee, previously $200, will be $350. Sundays and holidays increase from $300 to $450.
• Charlie and Barb Ringwald successfully bid $7,500 for town-owned South Walnut property.
• Bids will be accepted for leasing town farmland until 4 p.m. Jan. 12.
• Dublin will pay more for Cambridge City Police Department services.
• Council hired Wessler Engineering to complete an asset management plan, up to $15,000. Indiana requires those plans for grant eligibility. Through previous projects, Wessler has done about 70% of the plan.
• Council approved Brenda McLane, wife of councilor Jim McLane, replacing councilor Jim King as the town’s representative for Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County’s board. King served the maximum two terms.
• Donations of $100 from Symonds Creek Amish for Cambridge City Volunteer Fire Department and 1,855 25- and 29-cent stamps from Gordon Mehaffey, totaling $513.55, to the town were approved.
• Employees’ health insurance was renewed with a 5.28% increase.
• Council approved about $29,000 in work to make water towers compliant with Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements in 2026.
• Council plans a special meeting to approve 2026 salaries at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, in town hall, 127 N. Foote St. The public is invited.