The regular monthly meeting of the Millersburg Town Council was held on Tuesday February 10th, 2004 at 6:30 P.M. at the Millersburg Town Hall .
James Winkler called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
A motion was made by James Winkler to approve the minutes for January 27th, 2004 . The motion was seconded by Dean Hawkins and carried by a voice vote.
• Paul Miller owner of Rock Homes was present to discuss connection fees the Town of Millersburg wants him to pay for two (2) new houses he built on Blessing Street Mr. Miller stated that he believes he was grandfathered for all of his (20) houses from paying connection fees. The discussion was about whether the work he did are connections or tap-ons, as Mr. Miller was grandfathered for all (20) tap-ons . Mr. Miller believed since he had completed laterals and the mains he was exempt from paying connections fees. After much discussion the Council determined that Mr. Miller had not connected to the houses; therefore he must pay a connection fee for each modular he put in on Blessing Street . Council President James Winkler informed Mr. Miller that he must prove that he was connected to the Town's system. Superintendent Eldridge suggested that if Mr. Miller is connected then he should have to pay a minimum water usage for (20) lots of approximately $780.00 per month. Council President James Winkler suggested to Mr. Miller that the lawyers should determine who is right or wrong since the parties cannot come to an agreement.
• Monthly report-See attached
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that Jeff Miller from Carriage wanted to know if the Town could help with a large water bill they received for January 2004. Mr. Miller said he did not know why the bill was so high. Superintendent Eldridge did go to Building #2 and could not find a leak. Superintendent suggested that Mr. Miller talked to the Council. The Council discussed the issue and determined that Mr. Miller did not prove that Carriage warranted an adjustment as he didn't know where or how the water went through the meter.
• Superintendent Eldridge presented the Council with a proposal to hire someone to do the water testing on the weekends, as it causes him and Director King to get too many compensation hours and is rather expensive. Council Member Dean Hawkins suggested that someone needed to be trained to relieve for vacations and illness. The employees receive (2) hours call in for water testing while a person hired to do the testing would be paid by the hour. The testing usually takes 45 minutes per day. The cost for employees to call in for two hours is approximately $37.00 to $38.00 per day, while a person hired to do the testing would be paid $10.00 per day. The Council approved for Superintendent Eldridge to search for a person to do water testing on the weekends.
• Monthly report-See attached
• Monthly report-See attached
• Director King informed the Council that he has checked on grants and grants are not given for used equipment. Grants are however given to pay off leased equipment. Council member Abe Beachy suggested that Director King continue to look for used equipment. The Clerk/Treasurer suggested that she could put an ad on the IACT web site that the Town of Millersburg needs a leaf vac.
• Council President James Winkler suggested that the departments take as much compensation time off during low times as they can. President Winkler also suggested that the department heads seek out people for community service. Director King said he would talk to Marshal Hathaway.
• Council Member Dean Hawkins commended the Street Department for the great work they have done to keep the streets clean, salted and snow moved out.
• Monthly stats-See attached
• Discuss vacating Railroad Street . Abe Beachy made the motion to sign the paperwork to vacate Railroad Street Dean Hawkins seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.
• The Clerk/Treasurer received a draft for title insurance on the old feed mill purchased from Mr. Lee Rediger.
• The Clerk/Treasurer has received the last of the property tax money for 2003. Received as follows: General Fund $62,568.85, Park Fund $11,991.44 and C.C.D. Fund $4,021.67.
• Discuss liability insurance for 2004. The premium went up $1,233.00 a lot less than expected.
• Second & third reading of Ordinance 2004-1 establishing a Rainy Day Fund. James Winkler made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2004-1 as read Abe Beachy seconded and the motion was carried by a voice vote. The ordinance is to be advertised once within (30) days after adoption and the Clerk/Treasurer will do so.
• Discuss Ordinance 1988-6 Cable Franchise. The Clerk/Treasurer was instructed to invite Mr. Grady of Quality Cablevision to the next regular council meeting to discuss the ordinance.
• Discuss Ordinance 2004-2 to re-establish a Cumulative Capital Development Fund. Dean Hawkins made the motion to advertise for a public hearing on February 24th, 2004. Abe Beachy seconded and motion was carried by a voice vote.
• Council President James Winkler informed the other council members that he is concerned about people running their four wheelers and off road vehicles through resident's yards and tearing them up. It was suggested that maybe the town needs to draw up an ordinance prohibiting them in town. No action was taken.
James Winkler made the motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Abe Beachy and was carried by a voice vote.
Adjourn: James Winkler made the motion Abe Beachy seconded and motion carried by a voice vote.