Hendricks judge to hear water case

Hendricks County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Boles has assumed jurisdiction over the condemnation lawsuit involving the Town of Mooresville and the Indiana American Water Company.

The company supplies water to Mooresville. The town’s council voted to purchase the infrastructure the company owns that supplies the town with water, but officials from the company rejected the offer.

On Dec. 27, the town filed a lawsuit in Morgan County Superior Court I asking the court to allow the town to take over water system. The court would determine the cost the town would pay.

On Jan. 15, the company requested a change of judge in the case. Morgan County Superior Court II Judge Christopher Burnham was selected to hear the case, but he recused himself. Judge Boles was selected to hear the case and he has accepted the appointment. The judge has set a status conference hearing for April 22 at 8:30 a.m. The hearing will be held in Hendricks County Circuit Court.

The town council passed an ordinance on Dec. 24 during a public meeting after IAWC turned down its offer of $6.5 million. The council moved to proceed with the condemnation process. The town is being sued by IAWC for what it describes as communication and transparency problems before a public hearing. The company says it was denied a copy of the ordinance beforehand and was not receiving enough information about the ordinance to prepare a response to a presentation made by Mooresville Town Council member Tony Langley.

By Keith Rhoades | Reporter | Published March, 9th 2013 in The Reporter Times