NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL

AUGUST 1, 2006

MEETING MINUTES

 

Town Council President John Perrin opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. with the pledge to the American flag. Council members present were Scott Alspach, Joe Noonan, Don Harris and Terry Spencer.   Also present were Attorney J. Lee Robbins, Clerk-Treasurer Maribeth Alspach along with Department Heads Jim Lasiter, Mary Facemire, Ed Stephenson, Brian Hedrick, and Office Manager Cindy Yates.  Councilman Alspach offered the opening prayer. 

 

MINUTES

Member Spencer moves to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.  Motion seconded by Councilman Noonan.  Vote 4 affirmative and 1 abstention.  Member Harris abstains.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Depository of Record

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presented information on the interest earned at Fifth Third Bank in June of 2006 at the previous meeting.  Lincoln Bank had calculated the interest we could have earned at their bank and the amount was almost $400.00 more.  National Bank of Indianapolis calculated their interest for the same period and it exceeded what we made at Fifth Third by $1,000.00.  That could potentially be an additional $12,000.00 per year.  Alspach adds that National Bank of Indianapolis also provides courier service.  Alspach states the cost to have new checks, deposit slips and self-inking stamps made will be in the range of $1,300.00.  Alspach adds that the council would need to pass a resolution if they choose to change banks.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that Paul Ross is present tonight representing National Bank of Indianapolis and will answer any questions the council might have.  Councilman Spencer asks where the nearest branch location is.  Mr. Ross states at 135 and Smith Valley.  Attorney Robbins has reviewed the contract that the town would be asked to sign and asks that an amendment be made stating that should the bank elect to change courier services the new courier would meet or exceed the bonding / insurance requirement criteria outlined in the current contract.  Mr. Ross states that he believes the requirements listed in the contract are the minimal ones accepted.   Councilman Noonan moves to move the town’s accounts to National Bank of Indianapolis.  Councilman Harris seconds the motion.  Vote – 5 affirmative.  Attorney Robbins will prepare the resolution for the August 15th meeting.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states the transition will take some time and we will use both banks during that period.

 

Storm Damage

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach notes that there was quite a bit of damage sustained by the town during the storm 2 weeks ago.   Claims have been filed for a piece of playground equipment as well as many of the municipal building roofs.  The independent adjuster assigned to our claims will be here on Thursday to examine the damage.  Alspach thanks all of the employees, volunteer fire personnel and council members who worked to restore order and clean up debris after the storm.  Alspach adds that a picnic table was also damaged but a claim hasn’t been filed.  PW Supt. Lasiter states we lost several trees in the storm and he voices a concern over the age of the trees in our parks and the number that we have lost over the last few years due to age and storm damage.  Lasiter adds there are no funds available to replace the trees and he fears we will eventually lose all of our trees.  CT Alspach adds that the contractor that provided the estimates for the buildings is K & P Contracting and they are located here in New Whiteland.  They would like to put their signs in the yards of our buildings where they will be repairing the roofs.  Council approves.

 

Census Challenge

President Perrin states he received a call today from Jonathon Broxton with the Census Bureau.  They have received our challenge paperwork and commended our efforts.  Stated the report was very well done and our numbers should be approved.  Three different reporting methods were submitted and Mr. Broxton states the Certificate of Occupancy has proven to be the most accurate.  This could

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increase the 2005 population estimate by 1,078.  Perrin notes that this increase did not cost the town any money.  Perrin cautions we do not have final approval but things look promising.  Perrin thanks Cindy Yates for gathering the data for filing the challenge paperwork.

 

Storm Damage

President Perrin also thanks all of the town employees and volunteers for their tireless efforts following the storm on July 18th.  Perrin has had inquiries about making the WWTP accessible on Saturdays for people who work and are unable to drop of their limbs during the week.  Perrin has discussed this with PW Supt. Lasiter.  Perrin recommends having the WWTP open from 8 a.m. to Noon on the first Saturday of the month to accommodate those residents.  Perrin recommends a 3 month trial period to see how many people drop limbs off on Saturdays. Council approves 3 month trial.  We will put an ad in the paper this week and put a notice on the radio station.

Council members Spencer, Noonan and Alspach all express their gratitude to all involved in the storm aftermath cleanup.

 

Plan Commission

Councilman Spencer states that the property at 125 Tracy Road has been sold and the elderly gentleman has purchased a mobile home in Greenwood.  House is currently being renovated.

 

Spencer adds that at the last Plan Commission meeting they reviewed a sample ordinance regarding outside storage.  The plan Commission will be forwarding that ordinance to the council for their consideration.

 

2007 Budget Hearings

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states she met with DLGF on July 31, 2006.  Following the meeting she notified the newspapers with the required legal ads.  The budget hearings have been scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on August 15th and September 19th.  The preliminary budget hearing to look at each department’s budget individually is scheduled for Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.  Sandwiches will be provided for the work session.

 

Explorer Repair

Fire Chief Hedrick presents copies of the estimate to repair the department’s Explorer.  Woods Auto has looked at the vehicle and can make the necessary repairs for $438.15.  Hedrick states the vehicle will need tires before the end of the year.  He will pull a purchase order for the repair work.  He adds that a lighting company is coming out tomorrow to address the lighting issue with the vehicle.  President Perrin asks what size tires the Explorer will take?  Hedrick will let him know.

 

NEW BUSINESS

None.

 

LEGISLATIVE

Ordinance 2037

Attorney Robbins reads the ordinance and explains on first reading.  This ordinance “cleans up” by repealing provisions in old ordinances that govern Water Utility Meter Deposits.  Our new policy for Meter Deposits is not part of the rates and charges ordinance.  Councilman Harris moves to adopt Ordinance 2037 on first reading and is seconded by Member Noonan.   Vote 5 affirmative.  

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Phil Rockwell, 143 Mooreland, asks that in the event of another big storm the street sweeper be used to clean up leaves and debris in the streets.  PW Supt. Lasiter explains that our street sweeper doesn’t pick up leaves and sticks only sand and dirt.  To do what Rockwell is requesting would require the employees to go out with brooms and shovels and sweep the streets and then shovel the collected

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debris into the trucks.  Lasiter does not have the manpower, equipment, or resources to provide the service Mr. Rockwell is requesting.

 

Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________

Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer

 

 

Approved: _____________________________  

                 John Perrin, President