Millersburg Town Council Meeting

October 27th, 2004

The regular monthly meeting of the Millersburg Town Council was held on Wednesday October 27th, 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 October 13th, 2004.   The motion was seconded by Abe Beachy and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Park

• Park Board President Lee Nisley presented the Council with a resignation letter from Park Maintenance Director Kurt Kritzman effective November 30, 2004. Mr. Kritzman is resigning due to needing more time for other personal endeavors. The Council gave their blessing and thanked Mr. Kritzman for his years of service. Due to his resignation Mr. Kritzman recommended Adam Sherman to replace him as the new Park Maintenance Director.   Mr. Sherman would start on Thursday October 28th, 2004 and work with Mr. Kritzman to learn how to winterize the park. President Nisley recommended a start pay of $8.00 per hour. Council President James Winkler asked Mr. Sherman if he was okay with the start pay and Mr. Sherman said he was. The Park Board approved the recommendation at their regular meeting.   Dean Hawkins made the motion to hire Adam Sherman as the new Park Maintenance Director Abe Beachy seconded and motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote. Council President James Winkler welcomed Mr. Sherman aboard.
• Park Board President Lee Nisley presented the Council with a proposal and a drawing of a new playground area at Cook Station Park. The old playground equipment was installed in 1991 and needs repairs, but the manufacture of the equipment is out of business and parts are no longer available. When the park playgrounds were inspected in November 2001 by Ron Ward of CPSI there were several items that needed addressed, but due to finances it was decided to address only the items at Eagle Park. Since the project to replace the equipment with similar equipment at Cook Station would cost $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 the Friends of the Park has taken on the project. The Friends of the Park hired the firm Leathers and Associates to design and oversee the project. John Dean of the firm was hired to look at the park and get ideas from the children at Millersburg Elementary School. The drawing that was presented reflects what the children told Mr. Dean they wanted. The new design would be made from wood and recycled materials. The cost would be approximately $50,000. The Friends of the Park will write several grants and the Park Operating Fund has some money to match the grants. After a long discussion Mr. Nisley and the Council felt that the project has been well organized and is moving along and agreed to give their support where needed.

Water Superintendent

• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that Triad Associates, Inc. is offering the Town of Millersburg an evaluation of the water distribution and fire protection systems for our community. As the ISO was just done for the Town of Millersburg Superintendent Eldridge recommends that the town not go forward with the study at this time. Council President Winkler asked if there would be a cost to the town. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that the study is paid for by grants. The Council agreed with Superintendent Eldridge’s recommendation to not participate.

Wastewater Superintendent

• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he sent a letter to IDEM asking them to suspend the NPEDS permit-reporting requirement for E Coli until next year. This would give the Town time to buy the equipment needed and do some sample testing. Superintendent Eldridge has not heard back from IDEM. A quote for E Coli testing equipment was presented at a cost of $3,939.00 for 2 years worth of testing supplies and the equipment. The testing only needs done during chlorination, which is from April 1st to October 31st each year. As this years’ chlorination period is ending the equipment can wait until spring of 2005 to be purchased. The cost to have the testing done outside is approximately $48.00 per test and test has to be done twice a week costing $4,992.00 per year. The purchase of the equipment would pay for its self in one year.   The Council approved the purchase for 2005.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that Amy Miller of Cornerstone Grants Management told Jim Frazell that the town has a 70% chance of getting the Wastewater Grant and we should hear by November 3rd 2004, if we got the grant. Council President James Winkler asked if we don’t get the grant when is the next round? Superintendent Eldridge answered April 1st, 2005. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council if we don’t get the grant there is problems at the wastewater plant that need addressed with or without the grant.
• Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that his chlorine meter for the wastewater plant is not EPA approved and per IDEM it must be EPA approved. Superintendent Eldridge informed the Council that he would need one by April 1st, 2005 when chlorination starts again in the spring. The cost of a pocket chloremeter will be $135.00 and a spectrophotometer will cost between $1,000.00 and $1,500.00. The items will be addressed again in the spring.

Maintenance Director

• Director Matt King informed the Council that Mr. Rannells from Holt Equipment did bring a demo model of the John Deere 310SG backhoe for the maintenance department to test. After using the equipment for a few days Director King recommends that the town purchase the John Deere. The options of a backhoe coupler, air conditioning, two 12-volt outlets and an AM/FM Weather Band Radio can be added for a total cost of $55,440.00. The Case quote was for $55,000.00 without the extra options. Director King was concerned about getting parts when and if the backhoe would break down. Mr. Rannells informed Director King that he could get parts in by a couple of days. The John Deere has a one-year warranty on entire equipment and two years on the power-train and hydraulics.   Council member Dean Hawkins asked if anyone else in the area sells backhoes. Director King answered “yes” Cat does, but the salesman never called him back. Council member Hawkins also asked what would the delivery time be and Director King replied one week. After much discussion James Winkler made the motion to accept Director Kings recommendation to purchase the John Deere backhoe. Abe Beachy seconded and the motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
• Director King informed the Council that a switch has burned up in the leaf-vac. The switch was fairly new so Director King called Brown Equipment and they ordered the switch next day air and will deliver the switch at no cost to the town.
• Council President asked if the new entrance gate was up at the maintenance building if not when will it be done. Director King replied that he needed to finish painting and it should be up by Friday October 29th, 2004.

Marshal

Clerk/Treasurer

Unfinished Business

New Business

James Winkler made the motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Dean Hawkins and was carried by a voice vote.

Adjourn: Time:   8:10 p.m.                                James Winkler made the motion Abe Beachy seconded and motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.