The Frankfort Utility Service Board, citing a continuing increase of COVID-19 cases in Clinton County as of April 30th, has made the decision to keep the lagoons closed to the public.
Frankfort residents will also be able to drop off recyclable materials, excluding glass, at the 905 Burlington Avenue location during regular business hours.
Superintendent Jason Forsythe says, “I have directed street department employees to wear masks when they are working close to each other or the public. We will continue to practice safe social distancing and follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC. We do this for the safety of our employees and our residents.”
A date has not been set for Spring Clean-up. This event is typically scheduled for the week following Midwest Disposal’s free drop-off day at the landfill. Once a date for free drop-off at the landfill is announced, Frankfort Street Department will update the community with the dates for Spring Clean-up.
Frankfort Street Department is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. to noon.
“With all the front line is doing for our health and safety, we wanted to provide a complimentary meal so they can take a break and relax,” said Rodney Mounts, owner of C & R Catering.
Rodney, along with his wife Christine, lives in Jefferson.
“They do so much for us, I wanted to say thank you.”
A total of 121 meals were prepared and delivered to Frankfort IU Health, Clinton County EMS, and the Clinton County Health Department.
“This was a team effort,” Rodney said. “I want to thank Tammy and Jeff Danner with J & T Cleaning along with Connecting Point Church for making this all possible.”
As part of the Indiana State Department of Health collaboration with the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI to conduct a scientific study to measure the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state, today, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, a mobile test center is located in the parking lot of the Frankfort Walmart as part of the study.
“Having the ability to not only test for the presence of this virus, but also to learn more about people who have been exposed in the past and might have antibodies that indicate past infection, will help us fine-tune our work to keep Hoosiers safe from this pandemic,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box. “We are grateful that this partnership will help make that happen.”
The study kicked-off Saturday, April 25. Multiple mobile test centers are in use. The first round of testing will consist of a pool of at least 5,000 Hoosiers randomly selected from across Indiana’s 10 emergency preparedness districts.
This is the first of four phases of the study that will take place over the next year.
The study is by invitation only and locally approximately 70 invitations were sent out for testing today and will include random sample testing for SARS-CoV-2 — the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — viral infections and antibodies in Hoosiers.
“The unprecedented commitment of the state of Indiana to support critical research will allow us to blaze new trails to understand and respond to the pandemic and its impact on Hoosier health and well-being,” said IU Vice President for Research Fred Cate.
In total, at least 20,000 Hoosiers will be tested for the study. Select members of the public are being asked to participate, by invitation only, to ensure that the sampling is representative of the population.
In addition to medical personnel on-hand to conduct the testing, Indiana State Police is also there.
Today, Monday, April 27, 2020, the Frankfort Main Street Board of Directors announced after looking at all options and consulting with the Indiana State Festivals Association, to postpone the 26th Annual Frankfort Hot Dog Festival until July 30-31, 2021.
“This was by far one of the most difficult decisions and did not come without many tears and sleepless nights,” said Frankfort Main Street Executive Director Kim Stevens.
With approximately 90-days out from what would be the opening day of the much-loved Frankfort Hot Dog Festival, the Frankfort Main Street Board of Directors stated that due to COVID-19, community festivals, and events have taken a tremendous hit, affecting everyone one from the local communities, festival vendors, entertainers and service organizations.
Frankfort Main Street feels a responsibility to do our part in helping to keep our community safe.
Frankfort High School has changed courses in regards to holding a virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020.
As previously reported on April 21, Frankfort High School Principal Cindy Long sent an email to the senior class informing them of the decision to hold a virtual graduation ceremony.
That decision led to an online petition to be posted asking for a face-to-face ceremony as well as parents and guardians reaching out to school administrators expressing concern that a “traditional” graduation ceremony was not the first choice.
Parents and guardians of the Class of 2020 are receiving a letter from FHS Principal Long stating, “I recognize that our decision has caused disappointment and other ill-feelings. Please know that my intent was sincere. Frankfort High School wants nothing more than to hold our commencement in a traditional manner if safety allows, and our plan “A” is to do just that.”
“In the spirit of compromise, we will now hold our traditional face-to-face graduation on Saturday, August 8. 2020.”
There was no time of day provided in the letter.
Should plan “A” not be able to take place, a virtual program will be conducted.
The Frankfort Board of Works voted 3-0 to hold the 4th of July Festival at the T.P.A. Park during its special meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
The BOW will revisit this decision should it be necessary. It was also noted that no vendor set-up will take place and all concerts during the 4th of July festival will be canceled.
Today, Tuesday, April 21, 2020, members of the Frankfort Class of 2020 received an email from Frankfort High School Principal Cindy Long informing them a decision has been made to hold graduation “via a virtual platform” on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at 10 a.m.
An online petition has been created requesting signatures from the public to postpone graduation date, like Lebanon High School, and allow for in-person graduation to take place in August.
The petition can be found here:
https://www.change.org/p/frankfort-high-school-push-back-fhs-2020-graduation
Below is the full text of the email sent to Frankfort High School Seniors.
Class of 2020
As I’ve said previously, I so wish you were here at school and everything were “normal.” I realize that many of you have missed out on the senior moments that you’ve been looking forward to experiencing. So many things have been simply cancelled or even postpone to an unidentified date, which is difficult to deal with as well.
Frankfort High School is dedicated to celebrating you and your accomplishments, and we’re dedicated to keeping you and your families safe. We are currently planning to have graduation at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 23. All of the components will be in place. There will be speeches by your administration and your class leaders. Valedictorians and Salutatorians will also speak. There will be the turning of the tassel and music, and your name will be called and all will see you in your cap and gown. And it’s going to happen virtually.
This isn’t a decision that has been taken lightly and we are determined to have a graduation celebration for all of you when we’re able to gather together. We want you to be able to snap those pictures with your friends and family in your caps and gowns and be recognized for all that you have accomplished. Because we’re unsure of when that could happen, we wanted to make sure that you’re recognized here in May, even if it has to be via a virtual platform.
There is a letter that is being sent to your homes outlining all of this for families, but I wanted to communicate with you, class of 2020. We all care very much about you and your feelings. We believe that by having a guaranteed graduation date, albeit one that “looks” different, we are saluting you in an unprecedented way during unprecedented times.
I appreciate your continued effort in your coursework and I know that together we will find a way to celebrate and honor each of you in a way that is safe and as extraordinary as each of you.
Thank you.
Cindy Long
The Frankfort Board of Works will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday, April 22, at 11 a.m. to discuss operations of the golf course and plans for the July 4 Festival at T.P.A. park.
Residents are encouraged to submit comments to the Board of Works by email. Emails will be read during the “public comments” portion of the meeting. This meeting can be watched live on the City of Frankfort YouTube channel.
Email address for comments: info@frankfort-in.gov
City of Frankfort Youtube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCym71Fy2wWAOJJcopEG6nNA
Across Clinton County, real estate owners opened their mailboxes to find the 2019 Pay 2020 tax bill.
This year due to COVID-19, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is providing some help to some real estate owners.
The real estate tax assistance is for non-escrowed real estate owners. Non-escrowed owners are those that do not make property tax payments through an escrow account or mortgage company.
Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order #20-005 on March 19, 2020. In that E.O., Section 6(B) mandates that all counties waive penalties for delinquent non-escrow property taxes paid within sixty (60) days after May 11, 2020, the May installment due date.
So what does that mean for you, the non-escrowed property owner?
One, property taxes remain due on May 11, 2020, however, counties are to waive penalties on payments made after May 11, 2020, for a period of 60 days.
Two, you must make your payment on or before July 10, 2020, to avoid any late penalties.
The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) sent out a memorandum to every county in the state, “each county shall waive any penalties for any property taxes paid within sixty (60) days after the statutory deadline; therefore, the spring installment may be paid up to and including July 10, 2020, without penalty.”
The Governor and DLGF encouraged taxpayers to make timely payments (that is, on or before May 11, 2020) in order to ensure orderly operations of government.
Frankfort City Clerk-Treasurer Carol Bartley stated during the Monday, April 13, 2020, City Council meeting, “Property tax revenues will likely be down with the 60-day extension of late fees that the state has implemented. Current projections are estimated at around 70% of the collections may arrive in a timely manner for June draw.”
