For many years, Fishers residents have complained about the private roads in disrepair throughout the city.  The Board of Works and Public Safety took an important step in moving forward on two projects under a provision called The Barrett Law, a process that begin in March of this year.

Property owners in the commercial area of these roads would share in the cost of repair and reconstruction, and can pay over time if they so choose. Once that is complete and the work is done, those roads would be included in the city’s inventory of streets and roads for any further work.

Two areas of roads, east and west of State Road 37, on the northern end of the city, are the first sections of private roads targeted to be fixed under the Barrett Law.  One section is  Trade Center Drive, Britton Park Rd (between 135th St and 141st St.), and Park East Court.  The other is Parkside Drive, Publishers Drive, and Enterprise Drive.  The cost of the projects are $1.9 million and $571,000.

Since some property owners reside out of state, the city has extended the period of time to file objections, with the deadline now set at October 9.

In one other item of note on the board agenda, Fishers Fleet Management Director Tabatha Miller asked the board for up to 49 replacement police vehicles at a cost not to exceed $2.5 million.  Miller told the board the high number is attributed to budget years 2022. 2023 and 2024.  Some vehicles are already ordered, this board action is requested just in case those orders are cancelled and must be ordered again.  Six vehicles ordered in 2022 are just now being assembled by the manufacturer, Miller said.   The Fishers Police Department has 171 police cars total.

The fleet request before the board only covers the cost of the vehicle, not the the equipment needed to use in law enforcement.

“These are unusual times we find ourselves with our fleet,” Mayor Scott Fadness said.  Fire, police departments and ambulances are facing challenges, but Fishers is not alone in dealing with this issue.  Miller says Fishers is doing “fairly well” compared to other municipalities facing this fleet challenge.

The board approved the request from fleet management.