NEW WHITELAND TOWN COUNCIL

FEBRUARY 20, 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 and Terry Spencer.   Also present were Attorney Robbins, Clerk-Treasurer Maribeth Alspach along with Department Heads Ed Stephenson, Brian Hedrick, Mary Facemire, Jim Lasiter and Office Manager Cindy Yates.  Councilman Harris was absent.  Councilman Alspach offered the opening prayer. 

 

MINUTES

Member Spencer moves to approve the minutes of the January 16th meeting.  Motion seconded by Councilman Noonan.  Vote 4 affirmative. 

Member Noonan moves to approve the minutes of the January 19th meeting.  Motion seconded by Councilman Alspach.  Vote 4 affirmative. 

 

HARDSHIPS / ADJUSTMENTS / REIMBURSEMENTS

John Goodman, 712 Holly Rose is granted an extension on his account.  Mr. Goodman will pay the full amount ($168.61) by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2007.

Teresa Key, 412 Parkview presents invoices totaling $402.80 for a leak that was the result of the frost bottom in her meter pit breaking.  Our employee checked the meter pit, which was full of water, and didn’t find a leak and advised the customer to call a plumber.  PW Supt. Lasiter states this is the 2nd time that he can remember where we missed a leak in the pit.  Council approves the reimbursement and authorizes the Clerk-Treasurer to issue Mrs. Key a check in the amount of $402.80.

 

WEATHER EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

Council President Perrin recommends adopting an emergency closing policy for future weather events.  Perrin suggests that if the County closes their offices due to a weather emergency, the Town of New Whiteland would follow suit.  When one of our Department Heads becomes aware of the County closing their offices because of a weather emergency they will make the other Department Heads aware of the directive.  Department Heads are responsible for notifying their employees.  Council Members will be notified by phone – voicemail messages are sufficient.  Clerk-Treasurer will draft a sample policy for Council approval.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Fire Engine Financing Update

Fire Chief Hedrick states that he has all of the financing paperwork ready for the Town Council to sign.  Hedrick will overnight the financing paperwork to First Municipal Leasing Corporation tomorrow.  Hedrick adds that Attorney Robbins has worked out the contract revisions with Crimson and the final contract should be here shortly.

Councilman Spencer asks about the repairs to the Rescue Unit.  Hedrick states the vehicle is back in service but needed major repairs and was in the shop twice – total cost of those repairs was just under $5,000.00.

 

Bantam Football Program

President Perrin states that he and Councilman Spencer met with Athletic Director Zike and Coach Fisher to discuss the Bantam Football Program.  The school intends to take this program over but has offered to allow the Parks Department to continue the Cheerleading Program and retain any proceeds from that in exchange for allowing them (the school) to use our football equipment.  Perrin adds that there was also some discussion of the Parks Department offering a Flag Football Program.  Park Director Facemire states that she has been contacted by an organization in Franklin that has expressed an interest in the football equipment.  Council directs Facemire to contact Franklin and show them our inventory.  The council will consider any offers and do not intend to “give the equipment away”.  The person or organization purchasing the equipment will assume all responsibility and liability for the equipment.  We will not spend any more money on certifying existing equipment if we are not having a Bantam Football Program.

 

Town Council

Page Two

February 20, 2007

 

Best Way Annual Newsletter

Colleen Mason, representing Best Way, presents copies of the proposed newsletter for council approval.  A few minor revisions are discussed – those changes will be made and the fliers will be mailed out.  The new Robo-carts will be delivered in March.  The automated service will begin as soon as the carts have been delivered.  The new Heavy Trash and Monthly Recycling schedule will begin the first week of April 2007.

 

Zoning Violation Update

Councilman Spencer reports that Zoning Administrator Tim Guyer served notice on the resident on Parkview that was reportedly housing 5 or more dogs.  The resident had gotten rid of two dogs and was to find a home for one more to be in compliance with the 2 dog limit. Guyer will be checking the property and will report back to the Plan Commission at their meeting on February 27, 2007.

 

Police Car

Councilman Spencer asks about the status of Car 7.  Marshal Stephenson states a new long block

engine has been installed and the vehicle is back in service.  The cost of the engine was $3,800.00. 

The vehicle is a 2000 Impala.  Stephenson notes that when the cars are around 4 years old and have

approximately 65,000 miles on them they tend to begin having lots of repair issues.

 

Proctor Park

President Perrin asks the status of this project.  Councilman Spencer states a file has been started in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office.  We have a picture for the plaque and will schedule the dedication for Spring of 2007.  Anyone interested in donating or working on this project should contact the Clerk-Treasurer.

 

Snow & Ice Removal

Councilman Spencer commends the Public Works Department on the great job they did during last week’s storm.

 

NEW BUSINESS

ILMCT Annual Institute & Academy

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach states the dates for these classes are March 11-16 and that classes are held at Ball State.  Money for this training was budgeted but she has applied for scholarships for both the classes and her lodging.  She will inform the council when she hears from the scholarship committee.

 

Software Billing Error

Office Manager Cindy Yates presents paperwork reports on two accounts that were under billed over the course of several months (Feb. 2005 – Feb. 2007) as the result of a software change from DOS to Windows where the meter size was incorrectly entered for these customers.  This mistake was found by State Board of Accounts and Keystone (our software vendor) has been contacted.  The error has been corrected and the bills will be correct beginning in March 2007.  Break-O-Day was under billed $440.00 and Second Chance was under billed $179.60.  Customers will not be billed for these amounts due to the software error.  Council approves.

 

IRTIP

Councilman Spencer has been contacted by this group asking if he can attend their quarterly meetings.  Spencer is unavailable to attend and wants to know if someone else could take his place.  PW Supt. Lasiter gets copies of the minutes from the meetings and says this is the group that approached the council for a contribution last year (Mike Dearing).  Lasiter feels that being copied on the minutes is adequate unless we have a project that might qualify.  Lasiter will research funding request and report back to the council.

 

Town Council

Page Three

February 20, 2007

 

Lee’s Country RV

Fire Chief Hedrick states that Lee’s Country RV has taken down their fence and the fire hydrant is now blocked off.  There are RVs parked on both sides of the hydrant.  Hedrick is going to send a letter to the owner advising them of the violation.  Hedrick also wants to implement a new safety inspection program this year for all commercial buildings. Marshal Stephenson recommends including this program and the associated requirements with the new ordinance revisions.

Chief Hedrick also distributes copies of the employee evaluation form that he is using to evaluate all of his employees/volunteers.  Lastly, Hedrick states he needs to replace two computers.  He asks permission to purchase one now and hold off on the other one until later in the year.  Hedrick has obtained a municipal quote from Dell for approximately $750.00.  Council approves purchase.

 

Marshal Stephenson and Sgt. Glaze will be attending training classes the week of March 5-9 and will be unavailable to attend the next council meeting.  Clerk-Treasurer Alspach will notify the Police Department if an officer needs to attend the meeting.  President Perrin states he will be on vacation that week and will also miss the meeting.

 

LEGISLATIVE

Ordinance 2047

Attorney Robbins presents the ordinance setting the rates for trash and recycling for 2008 – 2011 on final reading.  Councilman Alspach moves to adopt Ordinance 2047 on final reading.  Motion is seconded by Councilman Spencer.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Resolution 2007-01

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents the resolution allowing the Fire Department to house a soft drink vending machine inside their station, accessible only to their employees and volunteers.  The revenues generated by this vending machine are restricted for the use and benefit of the Fire Department volunteers and employees.  The Fire Department will maintain a ledger of all revenues and expenditures from these funds.  Councilman Spencer moves to adopt Resolution 2007-01.  Motion is seconded by Councilman Alspach.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

Resolution 2007-02

Clerk-Treasurer Alspach presents the resolution allowing the New Whiteland Water Utility to transfer any unclaimed meter deposits to the Water Utility’s Operating Fund. Councilman Noonan moves to adopt Resolution 2007-02.  Motion is seconded by Councilman Alspach.  Vote 4 affirmative.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

None.

 

Being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________

Maribeth Alspach, Clerk- Treasurer

 

 

 

Approved: _____________________________  

                 John Perrin, President