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The city was poised to seek more funds for its water utility through a bond issue until a majority of officials balked at the notion of acquiring more municipal debt.

The vote occurred during the Monday, Feb. 12, meeting of the Salem Common Council.

The money was for the city’s ongoing waterline replacement project along Main Street, to help pay for rising operational costs, and to provide the utility with a mandated cash reserve.

The shortest proposed term of the bond was 20 years at 2 percent, which would have resulted in a total interest cost of $740,000. The bond proposal included a water rate increase that would have been implemented in three rate increases beginning this year and ending in 2026.

Councilman Roger Pennington said he understood that the water utility isn’t always in the black, but he was concerned about the city taking on additional debt when there’s no known development set to occur in the city that would help generate more revenue.

Councilman Dylan Moore agreed the water utility needs more revenue, but he was concerned about the interest and other costs the city would have to pay because of the bond issue.

The bond proposal indicates that $2.4 million would be for the waterline replacement project including construction contingencies. The remaining funds, about $925,000, would be needed for non-construction expenses related to the project, including engineering, design, and legal expenses.

When it came to a vote, Dan Libka and Steve Crane voted in favor of the bond issue. Randy Lee, Pennington, and Moore voted against it.

Moore then made a motion for a revised rate study that would show the water rate increases needed to adequately fund the water utility and its projects without the bond.

The first reading of the ordinance required for the bond issue occurred during a special called meeting on Monday, Jan. 22. During the meeting, bids for the second and third phases of the waterline replacement project were opened.

Those phases will replace waterlines from the south gate of the square to the city limits.

The bids ranged from $1.8 million to $2.7 million. No winning bid has been named yet.

On Jan. 22, when a vote was held to approve the first reading of the bond ordinance, Libka, Crane, Lee, and Pennington voted in favor of it: Moore voted against it.

When asked how the opposition to the bond issue will affect the ongoing waterline project – as well as the rate increase that will be required to support the water utility – Mayor Justin Green said more discussion will be needed as well as the revised water rate study.

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The Washington County Community Foundation has opened its Spring Grant Cycle. Funds for the $55,000 grant cycle are made possible through generous donors and the foundation’s Touch Tomorrow Funds.

Grant applications for the spring grant cycle are available by calling the WCCF office or visiting their website at https://wccfapplyonline.biz/index.php/view-grant-application/40-semi-annual-cycle to download an application. The application deadline will be 3:30pm, Thursday, April 4.

For more information or to request an application, call Judy Johnson or Lindsey Wade-Swift at the foundation office. The number is (812) 883-7334.

Donors to the Washington County Community Foundation serve as a beacon of hope, creating a legacy of care and compassion that shines for generations to come.

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The Orleans Chamber of Commerce has announced that plans for the town’s trademark Dogwood Festival are well underway. This year will mark the 54th anniversary of the celebration of the blooming dogwood, which is set for April 20 through April 27.  This year’s general theme is "Quality of Place - Pride in Community.”

Chamber Executive Director Robert F. Henderson said the festival committee has been working hard to bring back both old favorites and new offerings for this year’s edition of the town’s beloved springtime celebration. “This year we really want to celebrate all the things community and spotlight some of the many special things about the place so many of us simply love to call home,”

The Orleans Dogwood Festival has been named by Midwest Living magazine as one of its Top 5 Flowering Festivals in the Midwest.  The town’s signature event has also been featured in Midwest Traveler, Travel Indiana and Southern Indiana Living magazines. 

The Chamber’s Annual Town Wide Yard Sale is set for April 19-20. The Chamber will pay for advertising for anyone wishing to have a yard or garage sale on that weekend. Everyone is welcome to participate and there is no fee to participate in the event.

Back by popular demand will be the Dogwood Murder Mystery Dinner Theater on the last weekend of the festival.  

The Dogwood Baby Contest is back with Kyanna Dugger as chairperson this year. The event will take place on Sunday, April 21st 2 p.m. at the Orleans High School Cafeteria. 

Ashley McDonald is once again chairing the combined Dogwood Pageants. This year as in previous years both the Little Miss and Queen Crowning will again take place on the same day Saturday, April 20th at Orleans Elementary School. As has become tradition the 2024 “Mr. Dogwood” is also expected be named during the intermission for the queen crowning ceremonies. The pageant will begin at 5 p.m.

Angie Dilks approached the committee about the possibility of adding a “Little Mr. Dogwood” to this year’s festivities. More details to be announced. 

The Orleans American Legion will once again provide the midway, Brady’s Amusement, which will set up and operate the entire week as in the past. New this year on the midway will be a children’s train ride. Advance Sales of Bracelet Tickets will be announced by legion members. 

Jennifer and Neil Blanton will coordinate the Dogwood Parade for 2024.  The chamber is now accepting entries for the event and everyone is being encouraged to participate in everyone’s favorite parade on Saturday, April 27th 2 p.m.

Other festival favorite highlights include the Phi Beta Psi Styles & Salads, Photo Contest, Student Art Show, Pet Parade, OBR Band Parents Food Stand, and Arts & Crafts in the park.

A new event will be a “Dogwood Volkswalk” on the opening Saturday, which will include a guided historic walk through the neighborhoods of the Dogwood Capital. 

Michele Hardman have agreed to once again coordinate the festival Vendors, and Arts & Crafters. Vendor applications are now actively being sought and accepted online on the festival website.  

Committee members agreed to once again having a special handmade Amish Dogwood Quilt created to be raffled off as a fun-raiser for this year’s festival. 

Henderson added that festival organizers this year are also expanding live entertainment for the main stage throughout the event’s week-long run. 

Corporate sponsors are still being sought and accepted from community partners.  Those companies wishing to help sponsor or be a part of this year’s festival should contact the Chamber office, 812 865 9930 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More festival details, entry forms, event chairmen contacts are available on the festival’s newly revamped website, www.orleansdogwoodfestival.com  

The Orleans Dogwood Festival Face Book page is also being updated regularly with new information for 2024.

The festival planning committee will meet again on February 20th at 6:00 p.m. at Orleans Town Hall to continue plans on this year’s festivities. All event chairmen and anyone interested in helping with this year’s festival is urged to attend. Supporting organizations are also asked to have a representative present at this meeting.

Robert F. Henderson, Jr.
Clerk-Treasurer