Plymouth Board of Public Works approves purple ribbons for Relay, tables reimbursement request

6-25-26     Thursday News    4 A.M.   E-7

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety held a brief meeting Monday evening, with no department heads bringing forward reports. The board addressed two requests presented by Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski.

The first was a request from Mary Beth Listenberger — sister of the mayor — to place purple ribbons on light poles along North and South Michigan Street in September. The ribbons are intended to build awareness and encourage participation in the Relay for Life of Marshall County, scheduled for September 26 at River Park Square. Relay for Life is a community fundraising event organized with support from the American Cancer Society to raise funds for cancer research, patient support services, and advocacy, while also honoring cancer survivors, caregivers, and those lost to the disease. The board unanimously approved the request 4-0. Councilwoman Shiloh Milner was absent from the meeting.

The second item — a reimbursement request from Indianapolis-based JLBS Construction — was tabled after no company representative was available to attend. JLBS is currently developing a project at Briarwood Estates on Hoham Drive and recently submitted seven building permits for new single-family homes. Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal said he returned five of the permits for additional information but approved two, issuing invoices for those that were paid. After visiting the site, the developer determined one of the approved permits needed to be resubmitted because the plan didn't fit the intended location, prompting JLBS to seek a $192.70 reimbursement.

Manuwal recommended against the refund, noting that the city had already done its due diligence — creating addresses through the city's GIS system and reviewing all submitted plans. He said the permit could be cancelled and JLBS could reapply once everything is in order. During the meeting, a JLBS representative contacted Manuwal directly, noting he had not been notified of the online meeting link. The board unanimously voted to table the reimbursement request to allow a company representative to attend a future meeting.

Mayor Listenberger told GIANT fm WTCA that the new owner plans to build approximately 60 one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes on the Briarwood Estates site.