Plainfield's Smoking Law Remains in Effect

The fact that the state of Indiana has passed a new smoking ban does not change the non-smoking ordinance enacted by the Town of Plainfield for 2007. That law still remains in effect. “The new state law specifically authorizes local governments to enact more restrictive ordinances,” said Town Manager Rich Carlucci, “so people must follow the Plainfield guidelines already enacted. For example, while the state ban exempts bars, Plainfield doesn't.”

The Town's Ordinance 31-2006, “An ordinance concerning smoking in public places and places of employment,” can be found on the Town's website. Go to www.townofplainfield.com and click on the “Read Smoking Ordinance” link. If the smoking ordinance doesn't appear, put “31-2006” into the search box, hit enter, and that will get you to the correct link.

New Roundabout Intersection at Smith Road to Open in July

The Township Line Road project continues to make progress toward its complete reopening by the end of the year. One major part, the construction of the roundabout at the Smith Road intersection, should be finished and opened by the end of July.

“Our contractors have made significant progress on the roundabout at Smith Road and Township Line Road,” said Don McGillem, Transportation Director for the Town of Plainfield. “The curbs, gutters, and pavement have all been installed except for the final surface. The final surface will not be placed until the sidewalks, driveways, and approaches have been installed, which should start the week of June 22nd. Final surfacing and striping is scheduled to be completed and the intersection opened by July 31.” The completion of this phase will re-open Township Line Road from where it transitions from Perry Road near U.S. 40 westward to the Perry Road roundabout and Smith Road north to south.

“The east bridge phase is the last remaining section to be complete,” added McGillem. “We've already reconstructed the west bridge and widened Township Line Road from Dan Jones Road to the Dunkin Donkey Farm. We hope to have the Settlement subdivision included by the end of June, but it may slip into the first week of July. Now we're rebuilding the east bridge, raising the level of the road so that isn't subject to the flooding that has taken place there in the past. That phase of the project, including the remaining street section east to Shady Lane, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year including the final surfacing and striping.”

McGillem encourages people to watch the Town's Facebook page for updates. “We do post photos from time to time that will keep residents updated on the status of the construction,” he said. The Town's Facebook page is “Town of Plainfield Indiana.” The Town also has a Twitter account, @TownPlainfield.

Talon Stream Project Making Progress

The Town's Talon Stream project—which will seal the old Shouse Dump and turn it into usable land for Plainfield Parks— continues to make progress. The land sits on 13 acres north of the current Recreation Center and Splash Island site.

So far two phases of the project have been completed. The first part removed all the trees from the area where the trash had been dumped. The second phase removed the stumps from the flat part of the land. “Because the roots of the trees had grown into the trash,” said Town Engineer Tim Belcher, “removing them revealed what was underneath. This was important because it gave us a look at what the Town would have to do to comply with state environmental requirements.” As an example, Belcher noted that hazardous materials such as tires will need to be hauled from the site.

The third phase bidding process is just getting underway. Belcher said the goal of this part of the project is to pull all of the trash into the middle of the site, compact it and stabilize it. Once that's completed, a foot of dirt will be placed over the top of it in preparation for the final phase. The final phase will add a clay cap to seal in the trash, ensuring water will not penetrate. Topsoil will be placed on top of the clay cap. In all, four feet will separate the compacted trash from where park patrons will walk.

“The total project is expected to be completed next spring or summer,” Belcher said. “Some of the new area will be used to add parking for Splash Island, but most of it will become parkland, with natural grasses and wildflowers. A special emphasis will be on plants that attract Monarch butterflies. People will be amazed at the overlook views of White Lick Creek.”

“The new park will be a great extension to the Rec Center/Splash Island campus,” said Clay Chaf in, Plainf ield Parks & Recreation Director. “It will provide a nice alternative to the busyness of Splash Island and give families a chance to take a break and enjoy nature, and maybe have a picnic there. We are excited to add it to our park system in 2013.”