🎵🥁🏆Winter Percussion Places 4th At State Finals! ; Full Summary of Town Council Meeting Addressing Overdevelopment Concerns

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📌🏆 BCSC Teacher of the Year / Staff Member of the Year

🏆🎵🥁 B’burg Winter Percussion Places 4th @ IPA State Finals!

🏛️ Town Council Addresses Public’s Over-Development Concerns (Sort of)

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 📆 Upcoming Local Events

Brownsburg Winter Percussion Places 4th At IPA State Finals!

Congratulations to Brownsburg Winter Percussion for their outstanding achievement of receiving 4th place at the Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) State Finals!

On the surface this is an incredible achievement but what makes this 4th place finish even more impressive is the fact that this ensemble was just recently promoted to Scholastic World Class, a class above their previous Open Class status. So they are competing a class above what they have been competing against this season. This promotion is a true testament to the exceptional talent, dedication and hard work of both the students and staff.

State Finals marks Brownsburg's first-ever performance in the Scholastic World Class, setting the stage for even greater successes in the future.

Brownsburg Town Council Addresses Public’s Development Concerns (Sort of)

(Mar 14, 2024 Town Council - Regular Meeting)

(This is the full meeting Summary - A Partial Summary of the Meeting Was Originally Published in Brownsburg Buzz Issue #064)

• Discussion on Residential Development Concerns:

  • The session opened with concerns about the town’s capacity to accommodate the traffic influx expected from over 300 proposed new housing units. A citizen raised concerns about the potential impact of adding 181 homes to an area already struggling with the inadequacies of the current infrastructure to support such an expansion, citing the state’s average of 2.4 vehicles per household and the resultant strain on roadways. The call was for a more judicious and forward-thinking approach to development, underscoring the necessity for road improvements and better planning to prevent future congestion and infrastructure strain. He highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements, particularly road development, to support the additional traffic from new housing developments.

• Audio and Accessibility Issues:

  • John Raybold mentioned ongoing problems with the live video feed of the meeting and auditory issues in the council room, stating these have not been resolved despite being reported for five years. He suggested fixing these issues to improve accessibility for residents relying on these services. This issue was not new, having been a concern for over five years, yet it remained unresolved. This brought to light questions about the council's responsiveness and accountability to recurring community grievances.

• Infrastructure and Planning for Future Developments:

  • Various speakers expressed the need for thoughtful planning and infrastructure development in the face of new housing projects. The concern was about the balance between new developments and the town’s capacity to support these with adequate roads, utilities, and services.

• Concerns over Specific Developments:

  • Discussion on a new proposal for 181 homes highlighted debates on whether the town could support the additional burden on schools, roads, and green spaces. The importance of consistent decision-making and planning in the town council's approach to new developments was emphasized.

  • A significant portion of the dialogue centered around the consistency of the council’s stance on new housing developments. There was a palpable demand for clarity on whether the council’s decisions were influenced by the implications for school capacities or the limited availability of green spaces for development. The community sought assurance that the council's decisions were guided by a consistent and transparent framework, particularly in how new developments were evaluated in relation to their impact on schools and available green spaces.

• Approval of Routine Items:

  • The council approved several items without substantial discussion, including routine approvals for civil time of fire territory claims and payroll documents. More contentious, however, was the discussion surrounding a bid award for the demolition of particular properties deemed safety hazards. This discussion underscored the financial and safety considerations inherent in managing vacant and dilapidated buildings within the community, reflecting the council's role in balancing fiscal responsibility with public safety concerns.

• Demolition Bid Award:

  • The council discussed awarding a bid for the demolition of various properties, emphasizing safety concerns and the need for timely action to address potential hazards of dilapidated buildings.

• Infrastructure Financing and Revolving Fund:

  • A significant portion of the meeting focused on establishing a revolving fund to finance infrastructure projects, including a specific road project. This initiative was presented as a solution to the pressing need for infrastructure development to support new housing projects. The council detailed a $450,000 loan for a specific connector road project, highlighting the collaborative funding model that sought contributions from developers to mitigate the financial burden on the town. This revolving fund was positioned as a sustainable mechanism to finance future infrastructure needs, prompting discussions about its long-term viability and the criteria for project selection and funding.

• Zoning and Annexation Requests:

  • The council deliberated on a conditional zoning request associated with voluntary annexation for real estate development, putting procedural steps and zoning impacts under the microscope. The council faced scrutiny over its approach to zoning changes and annexation requests, with community members calling for a process marked by greater transparency and consistency. This segment of the meeting was emblematic of the broader challenges facing the council in managing growth, where decisions on zoning and annexation have far-reaching implications on the town’s development trajectory and community character.

• Public Concerns and Transparency:

  • Public comments reflected broader concerns over the pace of development, the adequacy of infrastructure to support this growth, and the mechanisms for community engagement and feedback. These comments were a clarion call for more robust communication channels between the council and the community, ensuring that development policies and decisions were made transparently and with ample public input.

• Closing Remarks:

  • The meeting concluded with citizen comments expressing frustration over specific development projects and perceived lack of transparency. These comments underline the community's vested interest in the town's developmental path and governance.

To view the video replay of the meeting - go to Town of Brownsbur.org.

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Upcoming Local Events

April 2024

• VITA Free Tax Prep

  • Date: (Ongoing through various dates)

  • Description: Free tax preparation for individuals and families with a combined household income of $66,000 or less in 2023, by IRS-certified volunteers.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Public Library website​​.

• Little Sprouts Nature Discovery

  • Date: April 9

  • Description: An outdoor adventure program for kids, focusing on weather and the natural world at Bundy Lodge.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Parks

• PRO Networking NOW - Come Visit!

  • Date: April 10

  • Description: A networking event for professionals at Elevate Office.

  • More Information: AllEvents.in

• Park Authority Meeting

  • Date: April 11

  • Description: A public meeting held by the Park Authority at Town Hall Council Room.

  • More Information: Brownsburg Parks

• Morning Bird Hike

  • Date: April 13, 2024, 8:00 AM

  • Description: An early morning bird-watching hike through various trails. Binoculars encouraged.

  • More Information: Arbuckle Acres Park​ (Brownsburg.org)​.

• Wildflower Hike

  • Date: April 13, 2024, 11:00 AM

  • Description: A guided hike focusing on the identification and appreciation of local wildflowers.

  • More Information: Williams Park​ (Brownsburg.org)​.

• Dine To Donate - Pittsboro Elementary School Robotics

  • Date: April 13

  • Description: A fundraising event at Books & Brews - Brownsburg for Pittsboro Elementary School's robotics program.

  • More Information: AllEvents.in

• Volunteer Opportunity: Clean and Green Earth Day Celebration

  • Date: April 20, 2024, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Description: A volunteer event to clean up and celebrate Earth Day.

  • More Information: Arbuckle Acres Park​ (Brownsburg.org)​.

• Little Sprouts Nature Discovery

  • Date: April 23, 2024, 10:00 AM

  • Description: Earth Day program for young children with hands-on activities and nature walks.

  • More Information: Bundy Lodge​ (Brownsburg.org)​.

• Volunteer Opportunity: Arbor Day Tree Plantings

  • Date: April 26, 2024, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Description: Arbor Day event inviting volunteers to plant trees and contribute to the community's greenery.

  • More Information: Cardinal Park​ (Brownsburg.org)​.