Golf carts now have curfew in Bloomfield

Carts must also stay off state highways inside the town limits unless they're crossing.

The changes, passed Tuesday by the Bloomfield Town Council, came in the wake of a new July 1 law passed by the Indiana General Assembly which allows cities and towns greater say in registering the carts.

As gas prices have risen, the carts have become an increasingly popular mode of transportation, particularly across short distances inside cities, leading to a need for increased regulation.

In many ways, the town's new ordinance parallels state law: The cart's driver must have a valid license and proof it is insured for use on the roadways.

At least one of two options for safety devices are also required. Cart drivers must utilize a triangular slow moving vehicle emblem like the ones used on farm equipment.

A flashing light which glows amber in front and either amber or red in back, and which can be seen for at least 500 feet, may also be utilized, per the ordinance.

The measure expands slightly on state law. Bloomfield Town Marshall Kenny Tharp successfully sought an addition to the ordinance barring the carts from travel on highways.

"You've got to look at it this way: At 20 mph, a golf cart is not going to be a match for a car going 45 or 50 mph," he said.

Carts must cross the highways at a direct, 90-degree angle under the new ordinance.

Also Tuesday, local business owners told the town board a proposed increase in sewer rates could close them down.

Steve White and his brother Earl, the owners of White's Laundromat, told the board their laundry doesn't make money now.

"It's not making any money now, but it provides a service to the community, and gives two people jobs," Steve White said, adding that his laundry pays $3,797.76 annually in sewer fees under the present rate of $396 per month.

Should the laundry's monthly rate raise to $587, White said it might prove enough to close the business down.

Town Board President Roger Doane said the rate increase is not yet set in stone, and subject to debate.

However, an overview of revenue by HJ Umbaugh and Associates revealed town sewer operations ran a deficit of $38,000. Doane said a rate increase is necessary to prevent the town from needing to dip into the General Fund to maintain operations.

"This rate increase should have happened five years ago," he said.

The new ordinance calls for a flat rate. Residences will typically see an average increase of $13, jumping from $27 to $40 under the proposed ordinance, which could be considered and passed in the board's August session.

Board members acknowledged the $13 increase is a substantial jump.

"It is a lot to some people. It's a lot to me," said Jo Ann Carmichael.

In other business:

* The Town Board ordered that the Greene County Emergency Management's be informed that the town will no longer rent it the lower level of the Community Building.

Board members had requested county officials lease the property, sending a formal agreement in April which has never been signed nor agreed upon, Doane said.

The lack of a written lease leaves the town open to paying all insurance and maintenance costs, forcing the town to end the emergency agency's tenancy, Doane said.

Greene County Emergency Management Director Roger Axe, who was not present but contacted following the meeting, had no comment.

* Board members agreed to release up to $81,000 toward the second phase of the ongoing downtown renovation project, Street lights are being placed and wired, and should be completed within 10 days, per the discussion.

* The town board agreed to allocate $500 toward the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce's Independence Day fireworks costs.

* Tharp successfully sought permission to host a free evening at the Bloomfield City Pool Aug. 17.

The pool closes Aug. 16, but Tharp won permission to invite Bloomfield residents to the evening party, which will feature police, fire and emergency personnel greeting local children.

He hopes the pool party, which will feature donations from local businesses including pizza, sodas and savings bonds, will become an annual event.

* Doane successfully requested the board draft a pronouncement honoring the Bloomfield Public Library's 100th anniversary. A party commemorating the milestone is slated for 1 p.m. Aug. 1.