By JACKIE L. HENRY
Managing Editor
jhenry@cherryroad.com
Members of the Tipton Common Council discussed the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) ordinance at their meeting on Monday.
DORAs, designated areas allowing the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages, have been endorsed by the State of Indiana to invigorate local businesses, create vibrant atmospheres, and promote tourism.
Key features of the DORA concept include boundary designation, the use of special cups or containers for legal alcohol consumption, designated hours for alcohol consumption, and regulations to ensure safety and responsible drinking practices.
So far, seven downtown businesses, including Urban Homestead, Ti-On, Wheelies, The Shack, Elks Lodge, Mad Tap and The Greenhouse, have voiced wanting to participate. It was mentioned that the DORA map for downtown had been increased. A church near the DORA area has approved the city to have the DORA near their facility. Before the ordinance is approved, all businesses will be contacted to see how they want to engage in the DORA. The companies can allow those with the “special cups” to come into their establishment or they can deny them. Businesses would be identified if they were “DORA Friendly” with a special sticker placed on their entrances. (See attached photos.)
This ordinance will be approved on the second and final reading by the council on Sept. 23.
Also discussed during the meeting was the Tipton City Street Department and the fantastic job they did with helping with clean-up during the Pork Festival. It was said that Interim Street Department Director Mark Clark and his crew had come together as a whole team to make sure the Pork Festival trash was managed.
Tipton Utility Manager Jim Ankrum spoke to council members regarding the West Service Area. This is the area that will use the newly laid wastewater lines on the west side of the county, bringing the wastewater to the Tipton Plant to be processed. He wanted to clarify that Tipton City utility customers, as well as Kempton and Sharpsville, will not have a change in their rates. Those that will be contributing to the rates of the new wastewater line could see a change in their rates.
A discussion took place on the Boy Scout Cabin, just west of the Tipton City Pool. There was a refund that was given back to a customer that had rented the cabin. The customer stated that when arriving at the cabin, there were dirty dishes and other areas that had to be cleaned before they could even use it. The cabin was deeded to Tipton Scouts approximately 100 years ago by a local farmer. A meeting is planned regarding the Scout Cabin next week at the mayor’s office.
The next Tipton Common Council meeting will be Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Tipton City Hall.
