NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER 19, 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 Terry Spencer.   Also present were Attorney J. Lee Robbins, Clerk-Treasurer Maribeth Alspach along with Department Heads Jim Lasiter, Mary Facemire, Ed Stephenson, and Brian Hedrick.  Councilman Harris and Office Manager Yates were absent.  Councilman Alspach offered the opening prayer. 

 

MINUTES

Member Noonan moves to approve the minutes of the August 15th meeting.  Motion seconded by Councilman Spencer.  Vote 3 affirmative and 1 abstention.  Member Alspach abstains.

 

Hardship Requests

Shane Richards, representing Ariel McCray of 607 Oakland is requesting an extension.  The amount due is $302.91.  This account was granted an extension 2 to 3 months ago.  Mr. Richards states they are waiting on Medicaid and should be able to pay the bill on October 21st.  After speaking with President Perrin, Mr. Richards withdraws his request and states the bill will be paid on September 20th.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Depository of Record

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that the courier service with National Bank of Indianapolis begins September 20, 2006.

 

Fire Department Insurance

Fire Chief Hedrick states that the Fire Department’s Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy needs to be renewed.  Lona Huffman with Jones and Associates has recommended changing companies and using Prudential rather than McNeil.  Hedrick states we will have better coverage at a slightly lower rate which will be locked in for 3 years.  McNeil renewal shows a 15% increase with a premium of $3,381 and the Prudential policy is $3,068.  Councilman Noonan moves to accept Prudential’s policy.  Councilman Spencer seconds the motion.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Fire Department Expenditure Requests

Chief Hedrick states that he needs to make some repairs and would like council approval.  Hedrick understands the budget freeze that we are operating under but would like to discuss two issues.  He has been able to trace some of the problems with the pagers to the antenna at the Police Station.  The antenna was damaged a few years back when it was struck by lightening.  The current 40 watt system is only putting out 2 watts.  The cable and the antenna are both bad.  This system is used for the Fire Department’s pagers and for the weather sirens.  The cost to repair the system is $2,023.05.  President Perrin asks if Hedrick has money available for these repairs.  Hedrick states that he does. 

Hedrick states that the Rescue Unit needed tires.  He was able to get six (6) new commercial tires for less than $1,000.  He has also received quotes for tires for Battalion 1 and the Chief’s car from Petro’s Tires which offers a municipal discount.  The quote from Petro’s was less that the quote from Whiteland Tire.  Hedrick also needs to do pump testing and needs to purchase cleaning supplies.  Hedrick adds that he has money in his budget to pay for all of the items and repairs discussed tonight but wants the council’s approval.  Council authorizes these expenditures.  Councilman Spencer asks if any measures have been taken to prevent future lightening strikes on the antenna at the Police Station.  Public Works Supt. Lasiter and Marshal Stephenson both state that electrical grounding work has been done that should prevent future incidents.

 

 

 

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September 19, 2006

 

New Employee

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that she hired a new part time office clerk.  The employee’s name is Connie Adams and she has had experience working in Bargersville’s utility office. 

 

Waste Removal Contract Specifications

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states that she met with representatives of Best Way this afternoon to discuss bidding the trash and recycling contracts out this fall.  The existing contract is good through December 31, 2007.  Alspach will amend the contact documents and provide copies to the council and the attorney prior to the October 3rd meeting.

 

9/11 Memorial Wreath

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach thanks the Ladies and Men’s Auxiliary from the Whiteland VFW Post #6798 for the memorial wreath they presented to the town on September 11th.  The wreath is on display in the foyer of the town hall.

 

Storm Damage

Councilman Spencer asks about the hail damage repairs.  PW Supt. Lasiter states the roofs have been replaced and we are waiting on the gutters.

 

Councilman Spencer asks if the pump problem at the plant has been rectified.  PW Supt. Lasiter states that the pumps are all working.

 

Spencer asks about the water line for the Liberty Tabernacle Church.  Lasiter states the line has been hooked up but we have not accepted the line yet as the final grading and dirt work has not been completed.  When the line is officially accepted they will need to post a maintenance bond.

 

Police Department

Marshal Stephenson states that the monthly status reports are in the councilmen’s mailboxes.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Phone System Upgrade

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents the quote for upgrading the phones and the phone system network in all of the town buildings.  This package would provide 23 incoming and outgoing lines, 100 voice mailboxes, DSL in all locations, and new phones, features and services.  Alspach adds that the monthly service with the new, upgraded system will increase by approximately $50 per month.  The equipment and installation costs are $25,133.72 and will be split 3 ways between General Fund, Water and Sanitation and will be paid with monies available in the 2006 budget.  Marshal Stephenson wants confirmation that this system is compatible with the 911 system.  Patti Collins of Embarq states that Chuck Cave, the town’s IT person has been involved in all of the planning – we will not be changing any of the 911 equipment.  Fire Chief Hedrick asks if his old computers can be upgraded with network cards to accept DSL.  Councilman Alspach states they can be and that he might have access to some network cards they could use.

Council asks that this item be placed on the agenda for October 3rd and requests that Patti Collins attend that meeting.

 

Food Pantry

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach distributes information on the Weekly Promise Campaign for the Food Pantry and asks that the council consider allowing the town hall to be a collection point for 1 week.  Council will review the information and asks that this item be placed on the agenda for October 3rd.

 

 

 

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Plan Commission Appointment

Councilman Spencer states he has received a letter from Thomas Hause who is seeking an appointment to the vacant seat on the Plan Commission.  Spencer notes that Mr. Hause is the correct political party needed to fill the open seat.  Councilmember Spencer moves to appoint Thomas Hause to the Plan Commission.  Councilmember Noonan seconds the motion. Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Executive Session

Town Marshal Stephenson requests an Executive Session.  Executive Session is scheduled for Friday, September 22, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

 

LEGISLATIVE

Ordinance 2039

Clerk-Treasurer introduces the transfer ordinance on first reading.  Councilman Alspach moves to adopt the ordinance and is seconded by Councilman Noonan.  Vote 4 affirmative.  

This item will be placed on the agenda for the October 3rd meeting.

 

2007 BUDGET HEARING

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states the 2007 budget is still $40,000 higher than our target.  Council can make additional cuts tonight or we can pass the budget as approved in the preliminary hearing and make additional cuts if necessary when we receive the final budget order.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach recommends putting $50,000 back in the 400 category of Town Administration in case the preliminary numbers were too low.  Councilman Spencer moves to approve the 2007 budget as approved in the preliminary hearing with one revision which is to add $50,000 back into the Town Administration budget.  Councilman Noonan seconds the motion.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Resolution 2006-1

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents the reductions to the 2006 budget as discussed in the preliminary budget hearing.  Councilman Alspach moves to adopt Resolution 2006-1.  Motion seconded by Councilman Spencer.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Richard Miller, 651 Melrose, states that a year and a half ago he loaned a lock pick set to Bill Withers when Bill was still the Town Marshal.  Bill Withers told Mr. Miller that the lock pick set had been misplaced and the town would need to reimburse him for it.  Mr. Miller states the value of the set was $59.50.  President Perrin states that he will contact Bill Withers and then get back with Mr. Miller.

 

Marvin Witzerman, 1035 Hilltop Commons Blvd., is present tonight with some members of the Hilltop Commons Homeowner’s Association.  Last Saturday they held their first annual Homeowner’s Association meeting and the following issues were discussed:

1)      Speeding on Hilltop Common Blvd. – can the speed limit be reduced?  People are using this street as a cut through from Tracy Road to 25W.  The council advises Mr. Witzerman that the State sets the minimum speed that can be posted.  We were forced to raise our posted speed limits from 20 MPH to 30 MPH a few years back because of the state law.  Marshal Stephenson states he will have extra radar and patrols in the area and try to slow traffic down.

2)      Construction traffic – large trucks are cutting through the subdivision to avoid the turn at Tracy Road and 25W.  Witzerman asks if Construction Traffic Prohibited signs could be posted.  Attorney Robbins states that we could request that the builders stop cutting through the subdivision but we cannot restrict traffic.

 

Jeff Weaver, 36 Morningside Court, states that he has lived in New Whiteland for 18 years and he is concerned about the number of properties that are not being taken care of.  His neighbor has 4 pick up

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trucks – 2 are parked in his side yard with expired plates and flat tires.  He also has 2 boats and drives a semi and parks the cab at his house.  The yard is a mess from all of the tire tracks.  All of the other houses on his street are kept up but this one property is hurting all of their property values.  Councilman Spencer states that the Plan Commission is looking at an outside storage ordinance to help get these properties cleaned up.  They are also considering restricting the parking of vehicles in yards.  The ordinance was recently amended to limit the number of recreational vehicles allowed per residence.

Councilman Alspach adds the council is in the process of moving more of these type of violations to the Ordinance Violation Bureau to allow the Police Department to enforce them rather than relying on a part-time Zoning Administrator.

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states she and PW Supt. Lasiter have discussed starting a Beautification Committee to assist and encourage residents to spruce up their property as well as promote the beautification of New Whiteland.

 

Councilman Spencer thanks the residents from Hilltop Commons for attending tonight’s meeting.  Spencer states he is very proud of Hilltop Commons and very glad they are a part of our community.  PW Supt. Lasiter recommends that the council drive through that subdivision and look at the cul-de- sac medians that the residents have landscaped.  They are beautiful and were done at no expense to the town.  The really reflect these resident’s pride in their community.  Carolyn Stipp of Hilltop Commons asks if the town has an “Angel Fund” to help with utility hardships or needed repairs to properties.  President Perrin states the town doesn’t but it would be a wonderful project for a group of residents to initiate and oversee.

 

Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________

Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer

 

 

 

Approved: _____________________________  

                 John Perrin, President