The Bargersville factor

In Monday’s meeting of the Greenwood Common Council, where the Reorganization Committee presented the bare bones of its proposal, there was some interesting discussion need the end. Some of the Council members seemed concerned that they were being rushed and they asked how long would they have to study the final proposal and when did they actually have to take action to approve it?

According to the law they have up to a year to review the proposal and they have to approve it 60 days before an election if they expect to get it on the ballot. Since the beginning of the reorganization study there has been a target date to have both legislative bodies, the Greenwood Common Council and the White River Township Board, vote on the proposal by the end of this year. Now the at least some members of the Council seem to be taking a step back from this timetable. That is a risky move.

It’s apparent from the large annexation of the southwestern portion of the township that Bargersville is on an aggressive growth path. They seem to want to annex anything they can as long as they also believe they can avoid a court battle with Greenwood. One of the major issues with the “southwest annexation” is “who was first to put a stake in the ground?” Did the formulation of the study committee represent such a stake or did the actions taken by the town of Bargersville put them at the head of the line? However everyone agrees that if both bodies approve a reorganization plan, that is a “stake in the ground,” it does not have to wait for final voter approval. This would have the effect of preventing Bargersville of annexing any additional parts of White River Township that are being studied by the Reorganization Committee.

The Bargersville “southwest” annexation becomes effective on January 2, 2010. On that date those living in the affected area will become residents of the town of Bargersville and the size of Bargersville will grow dramatically. Not only that, but it also opens up other property to potential annexation by Bargersville.

This makes it imperative that if the proposal is going to be accepted by the Council and the Board that it be accepted before January 1, 2010. If they wait and don’t vote until late January or maybe even as late as March, they are leaving the door open for Bargersville to annex northward on State Road 37, taking even more of the land that has the greatest potential for commercial development in the township. In turn this makes the reorganization less attractive to Greenwood and also limits the potential tax base should a miracle occur and the area self-incorporate.

This reorganization effort has been on a rather rocky-road for its entire existence. People have accused it of all sorts’ crimes against humanity, such as “being on Greenwood’s side” or “simply being done to make the Mayor or WRT board happy.” Such charges are unsubstantiated and really not something that should be considered when evaluating the proposal. However, regardless of the merits, or lack thereof, of the proposal, failure of the Council and Board to vote on it in a timely manner would be inexcusable.

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