There was good news for Jim Ridge residents at the June 15 meeting of the Putnam County Commission.

Terry Martin of the Regional Governmental Council informed the commission that the $1.5 million grant announced by Gov. Justice on June 7 for Phase II of the Jim Ridge Waterline Extension will fully fund the project which has been years in waiting.

Martin stated that the design is 50% complete and that there will be an implementation meeting on June 24 where contracts will be presented for signing. Martin said that it will be necessary to get a waiver from the Public Service Commission to get design approval. While no time table is etched in stone, Martin believes all authorizations will be complete by October or November and that bids will be opened in January.

Construction is slated to begin in February or March of 2022. The project will result in public water to more than 70 homes. Martin could not supply an exact number of homes. He said that there are a number of homes under construction and that there will be a lot more. There is no tap fee for residents who sign up now.

In other business, the commission approved the rezoning of a 1.96-acre parcel in Fraziers Bottom from R-2 to C-1. The zoning change will make it possible for FLSmidth to expand its operations.

Acting on recommendations made by the DAEA Board, the commission voted to impose daily fines upon the property owner of 2987 McLane Pike in Red House for failure to comply with an order to clean up the property.