Town Council Minutes - 07-08-02

Robert Majdak called the Budget planning meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

• Second planning session for the 2003 budget. Deputy Clerk Branden Beachy presented the Council with numbers for a 5% raise in salaries. The 5% raise will be a possibility if no other items are increased by a significant amount. The Council suggested the numbers be processed through the budget. Hydrant rental was discussed and it was not clear how the hydrant rental is determined, so Clerk/Treasurer Wanda Chupp will call H.J. Umbaugh and ask. The cost for next years election was also discussed Clerk/Treasurer Wanda Chupp was directed to call the County and ask what the cost might be for an election. The cost of animal control was discussed; again the Clerk is to call the Human Shelter for the cost. Next week the Park, CCD, MVH and LRS funds will be discussed.

Adjourn: Robert Majdak made the motion Greg Baumgartner seconded and motion carried by a voice vote.

Robert Majdak called the regular meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.

A motion was made by Robert Majdak to approve the minutes for June 24th, 2002. The motion was seconded by Max Miller and carried by a voice vote.

I. Park

II. Water Superintendent
• Monthly report-See attached

III. Wastewater Superintendent
• Monthly report-See attached
• Council President Robert Majdak asked Superintendent Eldridge if the wastewater plant was running okay. Superintendent Eldridge answered that the plant was in good shape. Superintendent Eldridge also informed the Council that the chemicals maintenance was right on and the lab chemicals were in good supply and should last for another 2 or 3 months.
• Superintendent Ben Eldridge informed the Council, that Merrill Brothers was at the Wastewater Plant on July 3, 2002 to drain and clean the digester. Council President Robert Majdak asked Superintendent Eldridge where in the maintenance project was the wastewater plant. Superintendent Eldridge answered that the second reed-bed needs approximately two months to dry. Beer & Slabaugh will then come in and clean the second reed-bed. Superintendent Eldridge will then land-apply both reed-beds.
• Superintendent Ben Eldridge informed the Council, that NIPSCO started hooking up the electric to the Forest River lift station on July 2, 2002 and should be finished by the end of July. The security system has not been hooked up to the lift station as of yet.
• Superintendent Eldridge’s salary was discussed. Council member Greg Baumgartner suggests $16.38 per hour, as there should not be a large difference in management salaries. Superintendent Eldridge reminded the Council that he carries a Class 1 & Class A wastewater license and has a large cost to incur when he moves to Millersburg. After much discussion Robert Majdak made the motion to give Superintendent Eldridge $17.00 per hour effective July 1st. 2002 Max Miller seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.

IV. Maintenance Director
• Monthly report-See attached
• The Council asked Director Beachy what decision was made about the new mower. Director Beachy informed the Council that no bids where received from the ad placed in The Goshen News, so the old mower was traded in for $5,500.00 on a new mower from Crystal Valley Power & Equipment.
• Director Beachy asked the Council if he could take a weeks vacation on the last week of July or the first week of August with a second option of the last of August or first of September? Director Beachy will confirm the date at the July 22nd, 2002 meeting. The Council approved as long as things were covered.

V. Marshal
• Monthly stats- See attached
• Marshal Hathaway informed the Council that the mail carriers have complained about a resident that lives on Oak Street. The resident has lined the curb with rocks, which interfere with carriers delivering the mail and caused damage to one of the carriers’ vehicle. President Majdak suggested that the resident be made aware that the Town has easement rights from 25ft from the center of the road to the residents’ property. The Marshal was instructed to talk to the resident and ask them to move the rocks back from the curb.
• The Marshal informed the Council that he would like to take vacation the week of August 4th through August 11th, 2002. The Council approved.

VI. Clerk/Treasurer
• The Clerk got a call from the Farmers’ Day Committee asking if the Town of Millersburg would underwrite the advertising in the Farmer’s Exchange for Farmers’ Day Festival in the amount of $450.00. The Council approved.

VII. New Business
• Abe Slabaugh from the Clinton Township Fire Department informed the Council that they were having their annual car wash and wanted to know if they would be charged for the water used. The Council asked if we had charged them in the past. As far as anyone would remember the Town had not charge them for water used during fundraisers.

Robert Majdak made the motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Greg Baumgartner and was carried by a voice vote.