Council OKs donation to support Spring Haven Domestic Violence shelter
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Sept., 24, 2019 — The City of Bardstown welcomed its newest police officer at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Chief Kim Kraeszig introduced Officer John White to the council. White brings experience as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer and as an officer with the Louisville Metro Police Department. Now retired from LMPD, White thanked the mayor and council for the opportunity to serve on the city police force.
CITY SHOP BUILDING. The council approved a proposal from Keyes Architects & Associates regarding the design, planning and engineering of a new shop building for the city’s public works department.
The new building will be built on the property the city recently acquired that sits behind the Bardstown Kroger store.
The total cost of the proposal is $23,425.
POLE INSPECTION. The council approved the sole bid submitted to conduct inspections and evaluations of the city’s wooden utility poles.
Jeff Miller with the city’s electric department explained that the city has not conducted regular inspections on its utility poles in the past.
A bid from Atlanta-based Osmose Utilities Services totaling $45,562.50 was approved by the council.
SPRINGHAVEN DONATION. Shonna Sheckles presented the council with a donation request from Spring Haven Domestic Violence program in Elizabethtown.
If granted their request for a $2,000 donation, the shelter would use the money to pay for taxi transportation for Nelson County domestic violence victims to reach the E’town shelter.
The shelter has not been able to provide transportation for Nelson County domestic violence victims, and local police officers have helped transport victims when they have time.
Sheckles said some of the donation would also go to provide emergency housing for victims — both inside the city limits and out in the county.
Domestic violence is more common in Nelson County than many may believe, Sheckles told the council. Since October 2018, 749 domestic violence victims from Nelson County have been served by the shelter.
The council voted to approve the $2,000 donation.
SIGN REQUEST. Henrytown resident Debbie Ables approached the council regarding the placement of a sign at the corner of East Halstead and North Third Street promoting Henrytown as a garden district.
Many of the homeowners have taken steps to beautify their homes with flowers and landscaping, she explained. The sign could be attached to the existing sign for the city’s park at the eastern end of Halstead, she said.
She and the residents who have beautified the neighborhood received accolades from the mayor and council. Discussion about a sign would have to continue however, including work with the city’s sign administrator.
ROTARY KIDS DAY. The council approved a request from the Bardstown Rotary to hold its annual Kids Day event on the city hall front lawn. The event will include inflatables, a rope bridge from the Boy Scouts; free games, free ice cream, music and other activities.
In other business, the council:
- approved a change order for $4,300 for the Rowan Creek sewer plant improvements from the contractor, Smith Contractors of Lawrenceburg. The change includes adding additional screen-reinforced concrete to level up an area.
- approved a request from Kenney Samuels who is building a home on a lot at 207 S. First St., to allow him to improve an section of unimproved Blueberry Alley adjacent to his property to provide access.
-30-
