LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING SNOW

TOWN OF LAPEL PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING SNOW

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1 - 2026

WHEREAS, the Town of Lapel, Madison County, Indiana (the “Town”) is a duly formed municipal corporation, governed by its duly elected Town Council (the “Town Council”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code §10-14-3-29(a)(1) and Indiana Code § 36-5-2-2 permits the President of the Town Council to declare a local emergency;

WHEREAS, the Town Council has a duty to protect the safety of the citizens and property in the Town;  

WHEREAS, the undersigned is the duly elected Acting President of the Lapel Town Council and Town Executive;  

WHEREAS, the Town of Lapel, Madison County, Indiana has been impacted by or is immediately threatened by forecasted excessive snow and/or ice for a period of time; 

WHEREAS, residents are advised to stay off the roads during the heavy snowfall and then afterward, be patient and allow for plenty of travel space while the snowplows are clearing the streets and thoroughfares;  

WHEREAS, during the period of this snow emergency “No Parking” postings shall continue to be enforced and parking will be temporarily prohibited on Main Street from Pendleton Avenue to State Road 32, 10^th Street from Vine Street to Pendleton Avenue, and 9^th Street from Vine Street to Pendleton Avenue;

WHEREAS, all cars not able to be removed from the street shall be parked on the North side of East-West roads and on the West side of North-South Roads;

WHEREAS, any vehicle parked in violation of this snow emergency declaration may be towed away and stored at the owner’s expense; and the Police Department is authorized to employ towing and storage services to the account of the owners of the vehicles;

IT IS THUS DECLARED THAT A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE TOWN OF LAPEL, MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA  

1. Pursuant to the provisions of Indiana Code §10-14-3-29, a state of emergency exists in the Town, and that I hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which apply to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this declaration to be in full force and effect in the Town for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for the protection of the lives and property of the people of the Town of Lapel, Madison County, Indiana.

2. All public offices and employees of the Town are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives whether state or local.

3. All residents are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.

4. All operating forces will direct their communications and requests for assistance and operations directly to the Lapel Police Department.

5. Reference is hereby made to all appropriate laws, statutes, ordinances, and resolutions, particularly to Indiana Code § 10-14-3-29.

6. This Snow Emergency shall be in force beginning at 1:00 AM on Sunday, January 25th, 2026 and will remain in effect until it is rescinded by the Acting Town Council President or extended by the Town Council within seven (7) days from the date of this Emergency Declaration.

This Emergency Declaration shall be promptly filed in the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer of the Town of Lapel, Indiana, posted at Town Hall, on the Town website and social media site.

SO DECLARED this 24th day of January, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

/s/ Gary Shuck

Gary Shuck, Acting President, Town Council, Town of Lapel, Indiana

Cold Snap Heating Notice

Extremely cold weather is in place across most of the Midwest. Temperatures will be well below normal through Monday with near zero or subzero temps in some cases and extreme wind chills are possible. During this time, it is important to protect yourself from the elements and avoid any long-term exposure to the extreme cold temperatures which can be dangerous. It is also important to remember that only you can minimize the energy cost impact to your household or business by lowering the thermostat during the extreme cold period to the extent you can do so safely. A one-degree difference can have a substantial impact to your heating bill during this period. Stay safe!

End of Year Water Utility Update

With cleaning of the State Road 13 well finished this week and as the year closes, the Town of Lapel is very pleased to report the successful results of work completed on our water delivery system. Cleaning and repair of the water tower, cleaning of our two wells and flushing of our hydrants are among the actions taken to ensure the consistent performance of our water utility.

Our water also continues to meet all applicable standards for quality, as evidenced by our regular testing and oversight by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

To ensure residents have accurate information about our water, data from IDEM testing conducted at 316 S John Street at the request of the resident is available here. The results of the testing confirmed the absence of both coliform and e. coli. Initial testing of the kitchen was negative for both coliform and e. coli and no retesting was required. We have been advised that testing in bathrooms can result in inaccurate results due to conditions found there. The retesting in the bathroom also found the presence of no coliform or e. coli.

IDEM has also released information aimed at ensuring the public has accurate information regarding water quality in Madison County. That information is available at IDEM: Water Quality in Indiana: Community Drinking Water Information - Madison County

We continue to request that residents notify us if they observe any problems with their water and thank the community for their engagement.

Attachments

Town of Lapel Public Meeting Policy (Dec 18, 2025)

Town of Lapel Public Meeting Policy approved December 18, 2025.

Please click here to read the attached PDF file.

Attachments

DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING ISSUANCE OF BURN BAN

TOWN OF LAPEL PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S
DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING ISSUANCE OF BURN BAN

WHEREAS, the undersigned is the duly elected President of the Lapel Town Council (hereinafter, “Town Council”); and,  

WHEREAS, I.C. §10-14-3-29(a)(1) and I.C. §36-5-2-2 permits the President of the Town Council to declare a local emergency; and,  

WHEREAS, the Town Council has a duty to protect the safety of the citizens and property in the Town of Lapel; and,  

WHEREAS, on October 21, 2025, I found the Town of Lapel to be at risk of widespread fire hazards because of ongoing maintenance on the Town’s water tower which could hinder local fire departments in extinguishing a fire therefore, the Town is issuing a town-wide burn ban.

WHEREAS, on October 29, 2025, I found the Town of Lapel to be at a continued risk of widespread fire hazards due to ongoing maintenance on the Town's water tower which could hinder local fire departments in extinguishing a fire, therefore, the Town is re-issued a town-wide burn ban.

WHEREAS, on November 5, 2025, I found the Town of Lapel to be at a continued risk of widespread fire hazards due to ongoing maintenance on the Town's water tower which could hinder local fire departments in extinguishing a fire, therefore, the Town is re-issued a town-wide burn ban.

WHEREAS, on November 14, 2025, I find the Town of Lapel to remain at a continued risk of widespread fire hazards due to ongoing maintenance on the Town's water tower which could hinder local fire departments in extinguishing a fire, therefore, the Town is re-issuing a town-wide burn ban.

IT IS THUS DECLARED THAT A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE TOWN OF LAPEL, INDIANA 

1. Pursuant to the provisions of I.C. §10-14-3-29, a state of emergency exists in the Town, and that I hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which apply to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this declaration to be in full force and effect in the town for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for the protection of the lives and property of the people of Lapel.

2. Effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in the Town of Lapel:  
   1. Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter, 6 inches high or larger;
   2. Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible matter, except for grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane;
   3. The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including but not limited to such debris that results from building construction activities and/or windstorm debris; and,
   4. The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.

3. Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished.

4. Reference is hereby made to all appropriate laws, statutes, ordinances, and resolutions, particularly to Section 10-14-3-29 of the Indiana Code.

5. All public offices and employees of the Town of Lapel are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives whether state or local.

6. All residents are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.

7. This burn ban shall be in force immediately and will remain in force until rescinded by the Lapel Town Council.  

The Declaration shall expire after seven (7) days unless extended by the Lapel Town Council.  

This Emergency Declaration shall be promptly filed in the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer of Lapel, Indiana, posted in various locations throughout the Town, and provided to the local news media.  

SO DECLARED this  14^th  day of November, 2025.  

/s/ Brian Robertson                              

Brian Robertson, President, Lapel Town Council

Prepared by:  

Jeffrey K. Graham  #26380-29  

GRAHAM, FARRER & WILSON, P.C.  

1601 S. Anderson Street, Elwood, IN 46036  200 E. State Street, Pendleton, IN 46064  

(765) 552-9878 / jgraham@gfwlawyers.com

DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING ISSUANCE OF BURN BAN

TOWN OF LAPEL PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S
DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING ISSUANCE OF BURN BAN

WHEREAS, the undersigned is the duly elected President of the Lapel Town Council (hereinafter, “Town Council”); and,  

WHEREAS, I.C. §10-14-3-29(a)(1) and I.C. §36-5-2-2 permits the President of the Town Council to declare a local emergency; and,  

WHEREAS, the Town Council has a duty to protect the safety of the citizens and property in the Town of Lapel; and,  

WHEREAS, on October 21, 2025, I found the Town of Lapel to be at risk of widespread fire hazards because of ongoing maintenance on the Town’s water tower which could hinder local fire departments in extinguishing a fire therefore, the Town is issuing a town-wide burn ban.

WHEREAS, on October 29, 2025, I found the Town of Lapel to be at a continued risk of widespread fire hazards due to ongoing maintenance on the Town's water tower which could hinder local fire departments in extinguishing a fire, therefore, the Town is re-issued a town-wide burn ban.

WHEREAS, on November 5, 2025, I find the Town of Lapel to remain at a continued risk of widespread fire hazards due to ongoing maintenance on the Town's water tower which could hinder local fire departments in extinguishing a fire, therefore, the Town is re-issuing a town-wide burn ban.

IT IS THUS DECLARED THAT A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE TOWN OF LAPEL, INDIANA 

1. Pursuant to the provisions of I.C. §10-14-3-29, a state of emergency exists in the Town, and that I hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which apply to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this declaration to be in full force and effect in the town for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for the protection of the lives and property of the people of Lapel.

2. Effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in the Town of Lapel:  
   1. Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter, 6 inches high or larger;
   2. Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible matter, except for grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane;
   3. The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including but not limited to such debris that results from building construction activities and/or windstorm debris; and,
   4. The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.

3. Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished.

4. Reference is hereby made to all appropriate laws, statutes, ordinances, and resolutions, particularly to Section 10-14-3-29 of the Indiana Code.

5. All public offices and employees of the Town of Lapel are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives whether state or local.

6. All residents are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.

7. This burn ban shall be in force immediately and will remain in force until rescinded by the Lapel Town Council.  

The Declaration shall expire after seven (7) days unless extended by the Lapel Town Council.  

This Emergency Declaration shall be promptly filed in the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer of Lapel, Indiana, posted in various locations throughout the Town, and provided to the local news media.  

SO DECLARED this  5^th  day of November, 2025.  

/s/ Brian Robertson                              

Brian Robertson, President, Lapel Town Council

Prepared by:  

Jeffrey K. Graham  #26380-29  

GRAHAM, FARRER & WILSON, P.C.  

1601 S. Anderson Street, Elwood, IN 46036  200 E. State Street, Pendleton, IN 46064  

(765) 552-9878 / jgraham@gfwlawyers.com

Smoke Testing Sewer Lines

The Town of Lapel is conducting a smoke test of its sanitary sewer system.

Work crews will be in your area starting October 21, 2025.

Click here for Questions and Answers!

A “SMOKE TEST” survey will assist our inspection crews in locating breaks and defects in our sewer system. The smoke you see coming from the vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground is NON-TOXIC, NON-STAIN- ING, HAS NO ODOR, WHITE TO GRAY IN COLOR AND CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD.

The smoke should not enter your home unless you have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps.

It is advisable for the homeowner to pour a gallon of water into each floor drain prior to our testing. If smoke enters your home, there is good reason to assume that dangerous sewer gases may also be entering your home or business. You should evacuate immediately and notify our work crews. If you are not at home and discover smoke when you return, please call us at 765-534-3157

Click here for Questions and Answers!

IMPORTANT! If there is any individual in your home or business who has respiratory problems and is immobile, please notify us prior to testing.

Attachments

DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY

TOWN OF LAPEL PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S

DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY REGARDING

ONGOING DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND ISSUANCE OF BURN BAN

WHEREAS, the undersigned is the duly elected President of the Lapel Town Council (hereinafter, “Town Council”); and,

WHEREAS, I.C. §10-14-3-29(a)(1) and I.C. §36-5-2-2 permits the President of the Town Council to declare a local emergency; and,

WHEREAS, the Town Council has a duty to protect the safety of the citizens and property in the Town of Lapel; and,

WHEREAS, on October 4, 2025, I find the Town of Lapel to be at risk of widespread fire hazards because of ongoing drought conditions, issuing a town-wide burn ban.

 IT IS THUS DECLARED THAT A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY EXISTS IN

THE TOWN OF LAPEL, INDIANA

1. Pursuant to the provisions of I.C. §10-14-3-29, a state of emergency exists in the Town, and that I hereby invoke and declare those portions of the Indiana Code which apply to the conditions and have caused the issuance of this declaration to be in full force and effect in the town for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for the protection of the lives and property of the people of Lapel.
2. Effective immediately, the following activities are prohibited in the Town of Lapel:
   1. Campfires and other recreational fires, unless enclosed in a fire ring with dimensions of 23 inches in diameter, 6 inches high or larger;
   2. Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or other combustible matter, except for grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane;
   3. The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including but not limited to such debris that results from building construction activities and/or windstorm debris; and,
   4. The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.
3. Charcoal from permitted grills shall not be removed from the grills until the charcoal has been thoroughly extinguished.
4. Reference is hereby made to all appropriate laws, statutes, ordinances, and resolutions, particularly to Section 10-14-3-29 of the Indiana Code.
5. All public offices and employees of the Town of Lapel are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in the execution of emergency laws, regulations, and directives whether state or local.

6. All residents are called upon and directed to comply with necessary emergency measures, to cooperate with public officials and disaster services in executing emergency operations plans, and to obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
7. This burn ban shall be in force immediately and will remain in force until rescinded by the Lapel Town Council.

The Lapel Town Council shall reevaluate this Declaration every seven (7) days.

This Emergency Declaration shall be promptly filed in the Office of the Clerk-Treasurer of Lapel, Indiana, posted in various locations throughout the Town, and provided to the local news media.

SO DECLARED this  4th day of October, 2025.

/s/ Brian Robertson

Brian Robertson, President, Lapel Town Council

Prepared by:

Jeffrey K. Graham  #26380-29

GRAHAM, FARRER & WILSON, P.C.

1601 S. Anderson Street, Elwood, IN 46036

200 E. State Street, Pendleton, IN 46064

(765) 552-9878 / jgraham@gfwlawyers.com

Notice to Water Customers

Notice to Water Customers

We are aware that some customers have experienced discolored water. While we understand that it doesn’t look ideal, please be assured that the water is safe and potable per all Indiana state drinking water standards. The discoloration is caused by naturally occurring minerals, specifically iron and manganese, that have built up in the lines over time. When certain events occur, such as a sharp increase in water usage, those minerals can be stirred up and temporarily cause the water to appear discolored.

To maintain water quality, we conduct regular water tests each month from various points in the service area. We also test water at customers' points of connection each time a complaint is submitted. These samples are tested to ensure the water is safe for our customers and the results of these tests consistently indicate our water is safe.

The town is currently flushing hydrants, which is causing a temporary increase in discoloration. During the next month, we are also scheduled to have our water tank cleaned and painted. Additionally, cleaning of our wells has been ordered by the Town Council, with work on that project beginning in the next few weeks and we are awaiting delivery of new water meters which will assist us in monitoring water usage in real time. 

Looking ahead, an engineering firm has been engaged to identify potential new well locations. This will create additional water supply, which will be beneficial in our efforts to improve the overall performance of our water delivery infrastructure. The town has also requested a cost estimate for replacement of all old pipes and will make that information available for public review. 

Additional information will be sent once firm dates for the tank and well cleaning are established so customer's will be aware of the times when discoloration is likely to occur. We appreciate your patience as we complete this work.

Redevelopment Commission Members Needed

There are currently 2 openings on the Town of Lapel Redevelopment Commission please send or drop off letters of interest at Lapel Town Hall!

Town of Lapel

P.O.Box 999 / 825 N Main Street

Lapel, Indiana 46051-0999

Park Board Member Needed

There is an opening on the Town of Lapel Park Board please send or drop off letters of interest at Lapel Town Hall!

Town of Lapel

P.O.Box 999 / 825 N Main Street

Lapel, Indiana 46051-0999

Declaration of Local Emergency

Please see the following images concerning a declaration of local emergency. 

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