NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL

APRIL 17, 2007

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

 

MINUTES

Member Noonan moves to approve the minutes of the April 3rd council meeting.  Motion seconded by Councilman Alspach.  Vote 5 affirmative. 

 

HARDSHIPS / ADJUSTMENTS

None.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Football Equipment

Council President Perrin states that there is no movement so far.  The football coach is still interested in purchasing the equipment but the program has an independent board and is not run totally by the school corporation.  Coach Fisher is researching purchase options with the school’s attorney.

Parks Director Facemire distributes inventory lists for the shoulder pads. Replacement value of the pads and helmets is $23,151.16.  Mary urges the council to require payment in full before the equipment changes hands.  Perrin states the coach wants to make 2 payments – ½ up front and the remainder later.  They would be required to sign a lease agreement or contract.  Councilman Harris states potential buyers need to purchase all of the equipment – we will not break it up.  Director Facemire has had other inquiries and has shown the equipment to one other organization and will be meeting with another interested party.

 

State Champion Wrestler Recognition

President Perrin introduces Matthew Fields who is a student at Whiteland High School.  Matthew is the 2007 State Wrestling Champion in the 119 weight class.  Perrin presents signs that will be displayed at the north and south boundaries of town on US 31.  The council congratulates Matthew and his family for this great accomplishment.  Coach Dave Thompson is present also.  He has been the varsity wrestling coach for 16 years and has had four (4) State Champions during his tenure.

 

Proctor Park

Councilman Spencer asks about progress on the sign.  PW Supt. Lasiter describes style of monument sign we are looking at.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach has the photo of Sgt. Proctor provided by his family and the quote from the newspaper that had been discussed for the plaque.  She will try and have a quote for the next meeting.  She has not had any names submitted of people who want to donate to the project.  Best Way has indicated an interest in helping cover the cost of the sign.  They have also offered to provide flower plants for landscaping around the sign.

 

Eagle Scout Project

PW Supt. Lasiter states that the shelter house was set last Saturday in the park area at Tracy Commons.  All that is left to finish is putting on the shingles.  Lasiter commends Billy Pennington on the project and adds that he and his volunteers did a great job.  Lasiter notes that the PW Department will pour concrete when the weather improves.  They will also need to put in a drive and a parking lot.  There are also plans to put a new swing set near the shelter house and eventually add a walking trail around the area.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Flood Hazard Areas Ordinance

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents copies of the final draft ordinance as approved by DNR.  Alspach

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April 17, 2007

 

was given this by our Zoning Administrator and asked to get two (2) copies executed by the council.  Alspach was told this is the same ordinance that was previously passed by the council and submitted for DNR approval.  Attorney advises no action is necessary and council signs the ordinance.

 

NWPD 2006 Year End Report

Marshal Stephenson presents a brief power point presentation with the 2006 statistical information on the activity for the police department.  The following information was presented:

            NWPD covered –

 97 vehicle crashes       

195 Crimes against Property

230 Crimes against Persons

NWPD issued:

387 Moving Violations

362 Written Warnings

397 Town Ordinance Violations

NWPD made 121 arrests in 2006.

Councilman Spencer asked Marshal Stephenson how many officers are currently on the department.  Stephenson stated seven (7) including him.  However, Officer Speers is currently at the academy so they are one man short in their rotation.  Speers will graduate July 6th and return to work with us.

Stephenson adds that they currently have 20 active cases, most of which are child molest cases.

 

Solicitor’s Permit Revisions

Attorney Robbins distributes handouts regarding case law on people going door to door asking for donations, or sharing information but not actually selling a product or service.  Robbins also distributes copies of the City of Richmond’s ordinance.  After much discussion no action is taken.  Public education is needed to inform residents that religious, political, and charitable organizations are not required to have permits.  Every resident has the right to post a No Soliciting notice on their property and to turn any solicitor away.  If the person going door to door is selling something they must have a permit.

 

General Fund Balance

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach directs council to the general fund balance on their Fund Report.  Alspach states that we will need to borrow money from the Wastewater Utility at the next meeting.  Alspach commends the council and the department heads for being as frugal as they have been – the tax distribution we received December 31st has lasted 4 months.  Alspach has requested an early distribution on May 14th but as the county has not sent out the tax bills there probably won’t be any money.  The State has not approved our 2007 budget, nor have they certified the assessed valuation for the county which is creating a financial hardship on all of us.

 

Homeland Security Training

Marshal Stephenson states that he and Sgt. Dave Glaze will be attending a 3-day training in Louisville, KY the end of May.  The training will be held on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Council asks if Officer Speers will be back on the road then.  Stephenson states he will still be at the academy but that the schedule is covered.

 

Fire Department

Fire Chief Hedrick reports that two (2) New Whiteland firefighters were detained and questioned last night in regards to a suspicious fire in a vacant house over off SR 135.  Both have been placed on administrative leave and Chief Hedrick started an internal investigation within New Whiteland’s Fire Department.  Both firefighters will be meeting with Chief Brown at White River Township tomorrow.  Council assures Hedrick this has no reflection on him, that they are very pleased with all of his efforts and that he has their support.

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Chief Hedrick states that he and Ryan Cox are being appointed to the board for C-9.  Hedrick will have a key to their training facility and 24/7 access.  Hedrick was also invited by the county to attend the Region 5 Homeland Security meeting but due to scheduling conflicts will not be attending.

Councilman Spencer asks if having the two firefighters on administrative leave will cause a scheduling problem.  Hedrick states it will not; one is currently on medical leave – they are neither one very active.

 

LEGISLATIVE

Ordinance 2050

Attorney Robbins introduces the ordinance to amend Title 7 Section 4 to eliminate two (2) stop signs on Delbrook Drive.  The ordinance eliminates the stop signs at Pleasant and at DeVille as discussed at the last meeting.  Councilman Harris moves to adopt Ordinance 2050 on first reading.  Councilman Alspach seconds the motion. Vote 5 affirmative.

Councilman Spencer asks how long those stop signs have been in place.   Marshal Stephenson says at least 12 years.  Spencer is concerned about potential accidents if people assume that the traffic traveling on Delbrook will stop. Marshal Stephenson suggests placing additional signage at DeVille and Pleasant “Cross traffic does NOT stop”. 

Attorney Robbins will research whether or not this ordinance needs to be published.

 

Ordinance 2051

Clerk-Treasurer presents the transfer ordinance on first reading.  Councilman Alspach moves to adopt Ordinance 2051 on first reading.  Councilman Harris seconds the motion. Vote 5 affirmative.

Councilman Harris moves to suspend the rules and consider Ordinance 2051 on final reading.  Councilman Noonan seconds the motion. Vote 5 affirmative.

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach reads the ordinance in title only on final reading.  Councilman Harris moves to adopt Ordinance 2051 on first reading.  Councilman Spencer seconds the motion. Vote 5 affirmative.

 

 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

____________________________

Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer

 

 

Approved: _____________________________  

                 John Perrin, President