By Angel Perkins Staff Writer
The Bourbon Town Council officially welcomed a new business to town, Servpro, at the last regular council meeting. The fire and water, cleanup and restoration company based in Plymouth bought the old FOP building on Ledgend Drive and gave it a new paint job — one that has had the town talking. The neon lime green with tangerine orange trim has had some people thrown, others curious, until they realize it is the company’s signature colors.
Company marketing and sales manager Eric LaLone laughed when he explained to the town council Nov. 10 that the trim color was literally named “obnoxious orange.” “We want to be recognized,” he explained. “And that you have,” said council president Larry Wattenbarger.

LaLone introduced himself and said that the company had made a lot of changes to the inside of the structure and is presently using the location for storage. He added that he expected the company to be working out of the building some time next year, said he was thankful for the reception and that the council should expect to see Servpro members more active in the community.
Following the introduction the laughter abated and was followed with several complaints from residents. Heidi Ramey was unhappy with menu signs falling into the street from the restaurant at Main and Center Streets. The business recently was bought by new owners and to advertise its specials, signs are positioned on the building’s adjoining sidewalk. Wattenbarger said he would speak to the owners about the safety of the signage.
Delbert and Corrine Veter of 302 W. Center St. complained about people parking on the east side of their residence, often blocking the couple’s driveway. The traffic there was determined to not be exclusively from customers visiting the liquor store nearby, but visitors at local residences. Wattenbarger suggested the council members take a look at the area so they could later convene and discuss possible solutions to the parking problem and said he hoped to have a few to offer the Veter’s at the next regular council meeting.
Judy King of 204 Frank St. asked the Bourbon Town Council about a flooding problem she has been facing with her front yard for more than three years. She brought photos as examples to show what she described as conditions that had her “wading to get her mail and trash can.” She said she and her husband had tried several solutions including putting down rocks and digging a small trench to reroute the water to no avail. Council members gave the okay to town employees to see about getting the matter resolved.
Councilman Gary Collins said some residents were complaining to him about leaf pickup: that residents said some areas were being ignored and others saying that a strip of leaves was left after pickup to which street department superintendent Roger Terry replied that he has raked up straggling leaves at most homes and that “the hose only reaches so far.”
With only himself and one other employee to service the entire town, pickup on resident’s terms or schedules was simply not possible. “I have a set route if anyone wants to follow along and watch me do,” Terry explained. “The volunteers (that owe community service) are done with their hours. There are some piles that are three and four feet deep that I’ve had to rake in.”
The town council approved to renew the emergency services contract for one year with Multi-Township EMS for a fee of $39,900. Councilmembers agreed commenting that none of them had heard any complaints from any residents about the service. “I’ve had more compliments about the professionalism and quality of the care the service offered,” Watten-barger added. “Not to say our people didn’t do a good job—but I think we had worn them out.”