NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL

DECEMBER 5, 2006

MEETING MINUTES

 

Town Council President John Perrin opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the pledge to the American flag. Council members present were Joe Noonan, Scott Alspach and Don Harris.   Also present were Attorney J. Lee Robbins, Clerk-Treasurer Maribeth Alspach along with Department Heads Mary Facemire, Ed Stephenson, Brian Hedrick, PW Supt. Jim Lasiter and Office Manager Cindy Yates.  Councilman Spencer was absent.  Councilman Harris offered the opening prayer. 

 

MINUTES

Member Noonan moves to approve the minutes of the November 21st meeting.  Motion seconded by Councilman Alspach.  Vote 3 affirmative.  Councilman Harris abstains.

 

Introduction of New Police Officer

Marshal Stephenson introduces the new officer Christopher Speer.  Officer Speer started working on December 4th  and he is scheduled to attend the ILEA starting March 26th and will graduate July 6, 2006.  Chris lives on Sawmill Road here in New Whiteland.  President Perrin states that Speer was recently discharged from the Marines and spent 8 months in Iraq.  Speer states that he is currently on Inactive Reserve Status with the military.  Officer Speer thanks the council for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving and protecting his community as a member of the New Whiteland Police Department.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Fire Engine Purchase

Fire Chief Hedrick states that six (6) companies have picked up bid packets and specs for the new engine.  Bids are due on December 19th and will be opened in the council meeting.  Brian hopes that the bids can then be reviewed and a recommendation can be forwarded to the council in early January.  Hedrick thanks Attorneys Robbins and Watson and their staff for assisting with the legal ads.

Chief Hedrick states that the laptop computer donated by Johnson County Emergency Management is in.  Hedrick will have new software and a mapping program installed and will then have the laptop permanently mounted in the command vehicle.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Citizen Recognition

Councilman and Plan Commission Member Scott Alspach brings a request from the Plan Commission to acknowledge and recognize Mike Jarowsinski for his efforts in renovating the house damaged in the fire on Tracy Road and the house on Parkview that had deteriorated and been abandoned.  Mr. Jarowsinski saved the town hundreds of dollars in legal fees and condemnation proceedings and improved the neighborhoods by renovating these houses.  President Perrin recommends presenting him with a gift certificate and a plaque.  Councilman Harris volunteers to make a certificate and have it mounted in a wooden plaque frame.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach is authorized to purchase a $50.00 Simon Mall gift certificate from the Awards and Promotions appropriation.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents a copy of Ordinance 679 allowing for purchases relating to the promotion or betterment of the town.  The ordinance refers to a Volunteer Recognition Dinner Fund when in fact it is the Awards and Promotions appropriation within the Town Administration budget.  Linda Hall with SBOA says we do not have to amend the 1987 ordinance.  Mr. Jarowsinski will be invited to the December 19th council meeting.

 

BZA Appointment

Councilman Alspach brings a recommendation from the Plan Commission that Jeff Weaver be appointed to one of the vacant seats on the BZA.  Councilman Harris moves to appoint Mr. Weaver.  Councilman Noonan seconds the motion. Vote 4 affirmative.

 

 

Town Council

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December 5, 2006

 

Holiday Closing

Councilman Alspach states that many municipalities as well as state government are closing on both December 25th and 26th and asks that New Whiteland’s offices be closed those days as well.  Council approves.

 

Fire Department Christmas Dinner

Chief Hedrick states that the Fire Department Christmas Dinner will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 22nd in the Assembly Hall.  Hedrick invites all councilmen and department heads to attend.  Hedrick will also prepare and serve lunch at noon on December 22nd to any councilmember or town employee who wishes to attend.  This will be in the assembly hall also.  Hedrick would like anyone who plans to attend to let him know so that he can prepare enough food.

Santa will be touring New Whiteland on the fire truck on Saturday evening, December 23rd.  Hedrick asks the council’s permission to allow his wife to ride in his car with him for this detail.  Hedrick will have her sign a waiver.  Council approves.

 

Fire Department

Chief Hedrick states that the Fire Department spent a day at Sawmill Woods with the kindergarten classes and teachers.  They will be providing fire extinguisher training to the staff at the school.

Hedrick is also researching grants for replacing both the pagers and his radios.  Hedrick will apply for a FEMA Grant for the pagers – he needs 35 – 40 at a cost of $500.00 each and to Homeland Security for money to replace the radios.  He will keep the council updated.

 

PW Supt. Lasiter thanks the council for the extra holiday on behalf of all the employees.

 

LEGISLATIVE

Ordinance 2041

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the 2007 Salary Ordinance in title only on final reading.  Motion to adopt by Councilman Alspach with a second by Councilman Harris.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Ordinance 2044

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the transfer ordinance and explains on first reading.  Councilman Noonan moves to adopt Ordinance 2044.  Councilman Harris states he doesn’t want the transfer for Town Administration Telephones approved or included in the ordinance.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states this is merely to make funds available should the council approve the telephone system upgrades before the end of the year.  It does not authorize the upgrades nor approve that this money be spent.  This would merely eliminate the need for an additional transfer ordinance before the end of the year.  Councilman Alspach wants the transfer ordinance to remain unchanged.  Member Harris is unwilling to approve the ordinance as written.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach recommends striking that line item as she needs the other transfers approved at tonight’s meeting.  President Perrin asks Member Noonan to restate his motion. Motion to adopt with corrections by Councilman Noonan with a second by Councilman Harris.  Vote 4 affirmative.

Member Noonan moves to suspend the rules and consider Ordinance 2044 on final reading.  Motion is seconded by Member Alspach.  Vote 4 affirmative.

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the ordinance in title only on final reading.  Motion to adopt by Councilman Harris with a second by Councilman Noonan.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Ray Rodgers thanks the Public Works Department for their assistance with an overhead door repair on a recent weekend.  PW Supt. Lasiter states that Dwayne Dykes was the employee on call that weekend.

 

Brian Hedrick states that Central Nine has asked his to serve on their Training Board.

Town Council

Page Three

December 5, 2006

 

Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________

Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer

 

 

 

Approved: _____________________________  

                 John Perrin, President