- On 2/19/2026
- In Town
LAPEL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
February 19, 2026
In attendance: Gary Shuck, Lindsay Washmuth, Chad Blake, Roger Fouse, Kristi Worthman Teresa Retherford, Secretary, and William Cain, Legal Counsel
Motion to amend the agenda to remove Krohn and Associates from Presentations and remove item J, Director of Planning Job Description and item K, Town Manager Job Description Revision from New Business made by Blake, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor.
Shuck welcomed the newest member of the council, Kristi Worthman, who was caucused to replace Brian Robertson.
Motion to nominate Blake for President made by Washmuth, 2 nd by Blake. With no other nominations a vote was taken, and all were in favor.
Motion to nominate Washmuth as Vice President made by Worthman, 2nd by Shuck. With no other nominations a vote was taken, and all were in favor.
Motion to appoint Worthman as the Liaison to the Planning Commission and keep the rest of the Liaison's as they are made by Shuck, 2nd by Blake and all were in favor.
Presentations:
Dan Cutshaw from CDS Engineers, Inc. gave an update on the Water and Sewer projects. He asked that we get started on the PER so we can get it in and get Grant money. Other decisions can be made later. He said that SRF is getting a large sum of money in July for lead replacement.
Motion to approve CDS Engineers, Inc. short form agreement for $48,000.00 made by Shuck, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor except Blake.
New Business:
Motion to approve Resolution 2026-01 Transfer of Gas Funds to Gas Cash Operating Fund made by Washmuth, 2nd by Fouse and all were jn favor.
Motion to approve Resolution 2026-02 Stopping the Transfer of Gas Funds to Other Gas Funds made by Washmuth, 2nd by Shuck and all were in favor.
Motion to approve Resolution 2026-03 Cancellation of Stale Checks made by Blake, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor.
Motion to approve Resolution 2026-04 Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the City of Elwood for the Hearing and Disposal of Town Ordinance Violations made by Washmuth, 2nd by Shuck and all were in favor.
Motion to approve Resolution 2026-05 Transfer of Cascadden Funds to Parks made by Shuck, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor.
Comcast ROW Permit Request: Hutchison raised concerns about the fact that it's time consuming. Doing locates and the fact that one of his guys will have to be there while they are boring because Banning Engineering does not have anyone qualified in gas so someone from his crew will have to watch and protect due to Indiana law. He is also worried about them hitting infrastructure. He stated he could only spare one person to do watch and protects.
Motion to approve Comcast's ROW Permit contingent upon staff review ie. Banning Engineering,
Hutchison made by Washmuth, 2nd by Shuck and all were in favor except Worthman and Fouse who voted no.
Motion to approve Banning Engineering, Inc Contract for Assistance with the Comcast ROW Project with a pass-through cost paid by Comcast made by Blake, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor.
Stony Creek Reorganization Update: William Cain gave an update and said Stony Creek is not interested in moving forward to get it done by this November.
Motion to approve the draft for Director of Planning Job Description made by Shuck, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor. Shuck left at 8:21 pm.
Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for Intergovernmental Cooperating regarding the Interstate 69 Corridor made by Washmuth, 2nd by Fouse and all were in favor.
Motion to Reaffirmation of Resolution 5-2025 Lapel/Stony Creek Reorganization made by Blake, 2nd by
Washmuth and all were in favor.
Department Reports:
Police: Sargeant Petty and SRO officer Nivens completed firearms liaison training and it benefits us when removing a firearm from a vehicle when it's suspected of being used in a crime. Two more officers will go throughout the rest of the year. Madison County Sheriff's Department donated to us a docking station for inside a police vehicle and Anderson Police Department donated a brand new in car printer for the Fl 50 which was a savings of about $1500 for the town. We would like to thank them and we appreciate that. The gas furnace in the garage went out and it cost $389 but it is back up and running. We have two parades scheduled this year so Chief Naselroad needs to send in permits for the closing of State Road 13 to INDOT.
Motion that the Town Council approve the Permit Application for the State of Indiana for the detours of
State Road 13 for the two events Listed by the Chief made by Blake, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor. Planning: Marcellus introduced some new forms for the Planning Commission, and they will vote on them at the next meeting. The new officers were voted for as well.
Utilities: Hutchison stated that a local electrician would be picking up the tower mixer which is the last step in the tower project. They are working on backflow prevention. Letters will be sent out to those who need them.
Parks: Katie Hutchison stated that they elected officers and they also have a vacancy.
RDC: Did not have a quorum.
Administration: Reske reported that on April 28, 2026, at 1 pm, the Il-JRC hearing will be held regarding our sale of the Gas Utility. Reske is working with neighboring communities to create a plan for dealing with animal issues. Clerk-Treasurer Report
Retherford stated that she has closed out the end of the year and is working on the Annual Financial Report and the EIA-176
Minutes for November 20, 2025, and December 1 0, 2025
Motion to approve the Minutes of November 20,2026 with amending the names added to the reorganization committee and the December 1 8, 2025, made by Blake, 2nd by Fouse and all were in favor.
Motion to approve the Claims made by Washmuth, 2nd by Fouse and all were in favor except Blake who abstained.
Motion to approve the Allowance Docket made by Washmuth, 2nd by Blake and all were in favor. Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Washmuth, 2nd by Worthman and all were in favor.
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