Morgan County gets grant for Hilldale Cemetery Ditch work
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New developments and years of neglect in some areas have resulted in slow moving or blocked water in Hilldale Cemetery Ditch.
The ditch is located on the south side of Martinsville and provides drainage for residential areas and farm fields. Rain water drains in the ditch, then flows into Indian Creek. From there it goes into the White River.
The Morgan County Drainage Board learned Monday that the county has obtained a grant to pay for the ditch's reconstruction.
County surveyor Terry Brock told board members Banning Engineering has finished design work on the ditch. Brock said the estimated cost for the work is around $735,000. He said the county will have to hold public meetings to inform property owners about the county's plans to widen and deepen the ditch.
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Brock said thanks to the grant, there will be no cost to property owners for the work.
He said work is projected to begin in February 2024.
Board members approved a request from South Central Indiana REMC to bore under the Hilldale Cemetery Ditch to install electrical and internet lines. The board also approved changes to the county's ordinance requiring all borings under county ditches to be at least 5 feet below the bottom of the ditch. A representative from REMC said they plan to be around 8 feet under the bottom of the ditch.
Also approved was an update to the current ordinance that regulates the amount of water that can flow into a ditch from any new development.
Brock said the developer of the Hanna Farms subdivision along Artesian Avenue has begun clearing trees and brush from the north end of Hilldale Ditch.
Other business
Board members released the bond for phase one of the Allison Estates development located near Mooresville. The development was previously in Mooresville's buffer zone and under its control. The county discontinued the buffer zones and took over management of existing developments in them.
The board also approved a contract for the removal of trees in the south end of Sartor Ditch. Brock said there are many damaged or dead trees that need to be removed from the ditch so water flow will not be blocked. .
The next scheduled drainage board meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 8:30 a.m. at the county administration building.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Morgan County plans to widen, deepen Hilldale Cemetery Ditch
