LEBANON JUNCTION – If you are looking for information on the history of Lebanon Junction, you will soon have a new place to do your research.
Local historian Steve Masden informed members of the city council that he was in need of a new place to display his historical and genealogical information on Lebanon Junction.
Currently, Masden has a room at the Lebanon Junction branch library. However, he was recently informed that the space would no longer be available.
Tara O’Hagan, director of the Bullitt County Public Library System, said she appreciated Masden allowing his collection of items to be stored at the Lebanon Junction over the years.
Masden, who previously served as mayor, said that his problem is that there is a need to find a place to display pictures from the past, as well as genealogical information.
While not understanding the need to relocate from the current space, Masden said he would just look for a new site.
Mayor Larry Dangerfield said that there should be space in the city hall to store and to display the historic material.
There has also been some information on Lebanon Junction placed in the Bullitt County History Museum, which is located in the courthouse.
O’Hagan said there would be space for some historical information on Lebanon Junction to be placed at the branch. She was pleased that city hall was approved as a place for Masden’s personal collection.
Stephanie Lewis, branch manager in Lebanon Junction, said that she had been in contact frequently with Masden on the plans for the space.
“The decision to relocate the materials was not made lightly, but the items are not utilized as much as they used to be and take up a significant amount of space,” said Lewis. “We will maintain a small local history collection here at our Lebanon Junction branch but most will move to Lebanon Junction City Hall and Central Library, where they can reach a wider audience.”
The items will be accessible to the public at all locations.
Over the past year, the library has refreshed the Lebanon Junction branch and has been adding programs and services for the public.
Lewis said the plans are to repurpose the room as a welcoming, dedicated space for teens and preteens to hang out, read and participate in activities within their own community.
“We want to foster a love of the library and provide a safe place through all stages of life and with that we must reassess our priorities and physical spaces with each new generation,” said Lewis.
Councilman Tim Sanders said he was glad that a part of history on Lebanon Junction was preserved and will continue to be on display.
Masden said there was no timetable set for the relocation of his items.
In other business:
*Five bids were received on the mowing contract at the Lebanon Junction City Cemetery.
Vittitoe Services was the winning bidder with a cost of $1,000 per cutting. The bid is a two-year contract and will require 22 cuttings per year, unless the mayor deems more work must be done.
Two other bidders set the price at $1,000 per cutting; however, Sanders said none stipulated in the sealed bid that the price would cover two years.
Vittitoe Services is the current contractor.
*The council approved a resolution stating roads within the corporate limits which are and are not in the city maintenance system.
KIPDA required the resolution. Municipal road assistance is based on the footage within the city maintenance program.
*Dangerfield said that blacktop work would be done for the areas around city hall, where the old Key Market was demolished, and around the new EMS facility.
*The council approved a credit card for the mayor and city clerk for governmental use only.
Dangerfield said that it would make things more convenient when performing tasks as reserving hotel rooms for training activities. Currently, an employee would supply a credit card and then be reimbursed.
A monthly report would be given to the council on any spending.
*Police chief Terry Phillips said the used cruiser was now in service.
Also, in the past month, he said 27 accidents were worked in the construction area on Interstate 65. Overall, the agency made 110 runs during March.
*Dangerfield said the first building is under construction near the city ballfields. A second building would begin construction by the end of the year.
Summitt Construction is installing a Welcome to Lebanon Junction sign by Speedway on Highway 61. It will be landscaped.
*Anthony Hellard was selected to serve on the city council for the rest of the year. Joe Brown resigned last month after he moved out of the city.
The next meeting of the Lebanon Junction City Council will be on Monday, May 6, at 6 p.m. at the community center. The public is invited to attend.