New rail crossing will allow auto access to Mounds Park

By John Howell
City aldermen have authorized Friday, December 23, Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 4 as holidays for employees.
City Hall will be closed.
The holiday decision came during Tuesday’s meeting that also included authorization for the mayor to sign with Iowa Pacific Railroad an Occupancy License Agreement that will allow the railroad’s contractor to build the rail crossing that will allow vehicles to cross the railroad to enter the Batesville Mounds park under development.
The cost to the city will be $181,000. “It will be fully gated and signaled on both sides,” City Engineer Blake Mendrop said.
Brocato Construction has cleared a roadway to the new crossing and, as part of its contract with the city, is deepening a pond on the property that will allow it to hold water year-round.
Construction company owner Chris Brocato said Wednesday that the machinery has opened an underground artesian stream that will feed into the pond.
In other city business at the November 15 meeting, aldermen voted to authorize:
• Deputy Police Chief Jimmy McCloud to utilize a $50,000 Highway Safety grant that will reimburse the police department up to $50,000 to pay for overtime for officers utilized for DUI enforcement, training and equipment;
• 15 miles-per-hour speed limit signs to be posted around the Square. The approach to the raised pedestrian crosswalk at the Eureka entrance to the Square will be posted at 10 miles-per-hour. McCloud said the approaches to the raise crosswalk will also include “rumble strips” and flashing lights to further warn approaching motorists;
• Acceptance of a letter announcing the retirement of Batesville Fire Department Training Officer Cowles Horton IV. Resignations of two street deparment employees were accepted as well. Aldermen also voted to raise the pay of BFD Fire Department Captain Timmy Hill to the rate commensurate with his rank;
During the meeting, the mayor and aldermen commended City Clerk Susan Berryhill for organizing the Veteran’s Day program on the Batesville Square Friday, November 11.