Pictured above: Choir performance at the Hometown Senior Center in October, 2023.
The agenda for the Tuesday, July 9, Putnam County Commission meeting listed only four items — action upon a request by Putnam Aging to assume ownership of the Hometown Senior Center, approval of a grant for Putnam County Day Report, approval of a grant for additional election related equipment, and a budget revision for the Coal Severance Fund.
Jenni Sutherland, executive director of Putnam Aging, told the commission that grant opportunities are available for building improvements at the Hometown Center but such grants require ownership of the building by the nonprofit. County Attorney Larry Frye informed the commission that State law provides for the transfer of county property to certain qualifying nonprofit organizations and that Putnam Aging met the requirements. Frye stated that he had prepared an agreement by which the ownership of the property would automatically revert to the county if Putnam Aging were to cease to use the building as a senior center. One improvement at the center which would not be funded by a future grant is an upgrade to the electrical system. The commission will honor a previous agreement to replace the circuit breaker box. Sutherland reported that attendance at the center has increased and improvements will be necessary to serve the community.
The county commission reviewed and accepted the community corrections grant proposal for $130,000 from Day Report Director Jamey Hunt. Hunt stated that the grant amount was for the same amount as his agency received last year. The grant will require a partial match which will not require any additional funding from the county.
In other business, the commission approved the reappointment of Jeremy Hicks to the Fire Service Board.
Jim Crewdson addressed the commission concerning water service on Fisher Ridge. Crewdson told the commission that he has water at his residence because he financed a private line of more than two thousand feet in length but some of his elderly neighbors had to haul water on a daily basis. Crewdson said he did not understand why the Jim Ridge Waterline was not extended to include Fisher Ridge.
Commissioner Andy Skidmore stated that extensions to Jim Ridge were made possible through federal funding and Fisher Ridge did not satisfy federal requirements. Skidmore added that additional federal funding has recently become available but a review of grant requirements will be necessary to determine if Fisher Ridge qualifies.
The county commission next meets on July 30th at 5:00 p.m.
