LEESBURG —  Monday, Dec. 11, at the Leesburg Town Council meeting, options for the town hall building were readdressed.

The building does not currently meet the requirements of the American Disability Act, which specifies that all public buildings be accessible by people who have a disability.

Council members discussed options for the building, which included tearing the building down and having a new building constructed, remodeling the current building or doing nothing, which would mean the building could be used for storage purposes but not for any public functions. Council members agreed that there is historical significance and they would like to preserve the integrity of the building.

Leesburg Town Council Vice-President Tom Moore presented estimates obtained from two companies regarding the cost to remodel the building.

Attorney Vern Landis advised that the next step in the process would be to enlist the services of a financial consultant and find out what financing options are available to the town.

Leesburg Town Council President Larry Richey shared that he recently had the opportunity to attend meetings for other town boards. Richey noticed that those boards had an American flag hanging up and board members recited the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each meeting. Richey asked for input from council members about this.

Moore said this is an old tradition that had been done at Leesburg Town Council meetings in the past.

“There is no good reason it was ever interrupted and there is every good reason to start it back up again,” Moore stated.

Council member Doug Jones said, “My feeling is I would never miss a chance to honor my country so if we can get a flag that would be great.” Leesburg Street Superintendent Craig Charlton offered to obtain a flag so that this tradition could be reinstated at Leesburg Town Council meetings.

Landis gave an update on the refunding of the town sewer bond. Landis stated he has been in contact with Jeff Rowe of Umbaugh & Associates, Indianapolis, and Dennis Otten of Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, Indianapolis.

“Because of a provision in the new tax law, which hasn’t been passed yet and may not be in the final version, this has caused a considerable uptick in the interest rates of municipal bonds,” Landis explained.

“Depending on what happens in the next couple of weeks, this may get pushed back to January,” said Landis, adding, “If the rates continue to go up, it’s not going to be worth doing.”

Landis informed council members that the plan is to have everything ready, so that if the opportunity arises they will be prepared for it.

Other News:

• Moore stated there is a phone number posted on the Prairie Street railroad crossing in Leesburg and requested that residents who are dissatisfied with the condition of the railroad crossing call the number.
• Charlton gave a monthly street report. He expressed gratitude for Ferguson Farms allowing the town of Leesburg to use their compost pile for leaves, as the location is close and convenient. Charlton reported that winter street equipment has been serviced and tested.
• Derek Tenney of Tenney & Sons, Inc., Warsaw, gave a monthly sanitary sewer report.
• No parking is allowed on any street in Leesburg between the hours of 3 – 5 a.m.
• No burning in the town of Leesburg.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan 8.