Council Meeting
February 6, 2024
Present: Council President: Cameron Emond, Vice President: Michael Johnson
Council Members: Darwin Miller, Betty Hoster, Rex Pearson
Clerk Treasurer: Judy Thomas, Deputy/Utility Clerk: Breanna Plantenga
Wastewater Superintendent: Jeff Province
Town Marshal: Jared Baer
Town Attorney: Jacob Ahler
Other: Daryl Orns, Sandra Gloss, Susan Bachman, Mark Bachman, Edwin Buswell, Janet Gross, Kenneth Burns, and Janell Hofstetter
Council President Cameron Emond opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The January 3,2024 Council Meeting minutes were presented for approval. Council Member Rex Pearson made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Wastewater Superintendent, Jeff Province, reported that there was a main plugged with grease, on Scott Street. The line was jetted and the had to be raised. This resulted in a boil order for part of the town. Since there was work done to a line, water testing had to be done. Jeff reported that both of the water tests came back good.
Jeff Fish, from Common Wealth, attended the meeting to touch base on the ‘brown water’ complaints that the Town has received. Jeff stated that he is here to consult, when needed. After much discussion, Jeff Fish made a recommendation that the Town backwash every other day, rather than once a week. He also recommended that the water samples be taken while the plant is actively running.
Town Marshal, Jared Baer, reported that the Taurus has been listed for sale, and he is currently accepting bids for the vehicle.
Sandy Miller reported that the RWCDC received a grant for the Senior Cafe. The Senior Café is on the third Wednesday of every month. The Senior Café is for aged 55 and older. There is a meal provided, along with a game of Bingo.
Council Member Michael Johnson reported on behalf of White County Economic Development, that there has been discussion about adding more housing in Wolcott.
Janet Gross stated that the Mainstreet Committee will be doing Wolcott Warm Welcome folders, rather than baskets, for new homeowners/renters.
Town Attorney Jacob Ahler discussed the Town’s TIF meetings being put on hold.
Clerk Treasurer Judy Thomas announced that she will be hiring a Deputy Clerk in the office, and has received 9 resumes so far. Judy also stated that she will be hiring someone to clean the building twice a month, for the Council Meetings. The office is currently working on getting the previous clerk removed from the Town’s Life Insurance policy. Judy mentioned that she has cancelled the cell phones lines for the Clerk Cell and Jared’s Work Cell. In place of the cell phone lines, Judy asked the Council to approve a cell phone stipend once a month for Jared and herself. Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to approve a monthly cell phone stipend for Judy and Jared. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Judy also stated that she is working on getting the Bank Reconciliations straightened out, from the previous clerk. Judy requested an audit from SBOA, and has been in contact with them. Judy stated that she may be hiring Suzy Bass to come in and assist her in the office.
The Council had discussed hiring a Street Department employee. After some discussion, Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to hire a Street Department Employee. Council Vice President Michael Johnson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Council President Cameron Emond announced that the Town has applied for another Street Community Crossing Grant through Ken Smith.
The TRECS Agreement got brought up, that was tabled at the previous meeting. The TRECS program is a collection agency, that would be used to collect past due water bills. After much discussion, the subject was tabled. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to table the TRECS Agreement, until they gather more information. Council Member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Edwin Buswell from KIRPC has been speaking with Council Vice President Michael Johnson about applying for a grant to replace some water lines in town. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to move forward with getting the OCRA Grant to replace water lines in town. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Utility Clerk Breanna Plantenga approached the Council about a resident that had a big leak during the cold front. The resident was leaking at almost 300 gallons/hour and a plumber could not come out to fix the leak for an entire week. Breanna asked the Council for approval to remove any excess sewage fees outside of the resident’s average usage, for a sewage break. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the sewage break. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Meeting adjourned.