May 20, 2025 - Council Meeting

Council Meeting

May 20, 2025

6:00 pm

Present:          Council President: Cameron Emond, Council Vice President: Betty Hoster

Council Members: Michael Johnson, Darwin Miller and Janet Gross

Clerk Treasurer: Karie Holder, Deputy Clerk: Breanna Plantenga

Wastewater Superintendent: Jeff Province

Street Department: Vince Hall

Town Marshal: Jared Baer, Deputy Marshal: JR Northcutt

Other: Timothy Mohler, Jose Medina, Chasity Sallee, Kenneth Burns, Steve Young, Ciera Layhew, Janell Hofstetter, Lucas Idlewine.

Absent:           Town Attorney: Jacob Ahler, Water Superintendent: Justin Bowman

Council President Cameron Emond opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The May 6, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

The April 2025 financials were presented for approval. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the financials. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Treeva Sarles, Otterbein Clerk Treasurer, reported that she has successfully cleaned up some of Wolcott’s bank accounts. Treeva also shared all of the financial cleanup projects that her and Clerk Treasurer, Karie Holder, are working on. A Public Hearing is needed, to approve an additional appropriation for the ambulance department, for the purchase of a new ambulance. The Public Hearing will be on June 3rd at 6pm. The Ambulance money from their Trust Indiana Ambulance account needs to be moved to the General Checking account, to cover the cost of the new ambulance. Council member Janet Gross made a motion to have transfer the money from the Trust Indiana Ambulance account, to the General checking account. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Treeva expressed concern over the Town not bringing in enough Wastewater revenue to cover what is being spent out of the Wastewater account. Treeva suggested the possibility of raising the Wastewater rates, and to talk to the Town Attorney about borrowing funds from one of the other checking accounts. Lastly, Treeva brought up another concern over the Town sending checks out, that have not been signed and approved by the Council beforehand.

Wastewater Superintendent Jeff Province presented estimates to run a new waterline to the polyer room at the Wastewater Plant. Accudig bid the project at $12,617.00. G&S Excavating bid the project at $4,000.00. Council Vice President Betty Hoster made a motion to acceot the bid from G&S Excavating for $4,000. Council Member Michael Johnson second the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Jeff also notified the Council that Phosphorus Testing is now being required for the Twn of Wolcott, by IDEM, starting in August. A compliance letter, for this testing was presented to the Council. Council member Michael Johnson made a motion to accept the Compliance Letter. Council Vice President Betty Hostrr second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Town Marshal, Jared Baer, presented a ticket that he issued to a resident in town for illegal dumping. The problem has been remedied, so Jared notified the Council that they could drop the ticket, if they wish. Council member Michael Johnson made a motion to drop the ticket. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Fire Chief, Kenneth Burns, requested that the town employees pick up the corn husks around town, from the storm damage.

Council President, Cameron Emond, wanted to state on the record that there are to be no personal vehicles/golf carts used during work hours, by the Town Employees.

Clerk Treasurer Karie Holder, presented a contract renewal from Wyatt Communications, that includes updated phones. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the contract from Wyatt Communications. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

A Shelby Township contract for the Wolcott Ambulance was presented to the Council. Council Vice President Betty Hoster made a motion to accept the new contract from Shelby Township. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

An abatement request was received by the Council, from WITKO. Council Vice President Betty Hoster made a motion to approve the abatement. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Town resident Chasity Sallee, addressed the feral cat issue in Wolcott. Chasity is working with the White County Wellness Center on remedying the issue. The Wellness Center is offering a free Trap, Neuter, and Release program, that Chasity has been working on. Chasity asked if the Town would be willing to assist with gas, and stated that she is looking for more volunteers. After much discussion, Council member Janet Gross made a motion to donate $250.00 to Chasity for gas. Council Member Michael Johnson second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Meeting ajorned.