May 6, 2025 - Council Meeting

Council Meeting

May 6, 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

Other: Treeva Sarles, Daryl Orns, Patrick Woodcock, Dade DeYoung, Marilyn Young, Steve Young, Ken Smith, Mary Salvadore, Emma Oilar, Olivia Ross, Kenneth Burns, Janell Hofstetter, and Debbie Holder.

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

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

The April 15, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Council Member Janet Gross made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Treeva Sarles, Otterbein Clerk Treasurer, gave an update to the Council regarding the Town’s books being straightened out. Treeva also notified the Council that they will need to hold a Public Hearing for an additional appropriation for the purchase of a new ambulance, since it was not put in the 2025 Budget. Council member Janet Gross made a motion to have a public hearing on June 3, 2025. Council member Michael Johnson second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Wastewater Superintendent Jeff province reported that there is an algae issue at the plant currently. Jeff also notified the Council, that he is working with Ken Smith on getting estimates to run a new water line to the polymer room at the Wastewater Plant.

Council Vice President Betty Hoster shared that Water Superintendent Justin Bowman will be replacing four broken water meters in town.

Town Marshal, Jared Baer, reported that he just finished a Hostage Negotiations training class. The Town of Wolcott will be separating from the School Resource Officer Program, as Tri County is taking the program over entirely.

Ken Smith, town engineer, announced that Town & Country will begin the paving project on either May 19th or May 26th. Ken also presented the Wolcott Water Tower Report to the Council.

Betty Hoster, White County Area Plan representative, reported that the County has put a hold on the building of any wind farms and solar farms, that were not approved before January 1, 2025.

Marilyn Young, Mainstreet Committee, reported that the Easter Egg Hunt and the Town Wide Garage Sales went well. The local American Legion will be having a Memorial Day Service at 10am on Memorial Day. The Mainstreet Committee is also giving out three scholarships to three seniors this year.

Debbie Holder, Wolcott Gamma Upsilon Psi Iota Xi Sorority, thanked the Council for their donation to the Sorority this year. Debbe listed off all of the Sorority’s plans for the upcoming year.

The Council discussed the purchasing of a new truck bed for one of the Town trucks, that was tabled at the last meeting. Clerk Treasurer Karie Holder told the Council that the funds could come out of the water account. Council Vice President Betty Hoster made a motion to approve the purchase of a flat bed for the town truck. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Spring Cleanup will be on Saturday, May 10th from 10am – 2pm.

The final reading of the Sewage Pre Treatment Ordinance was read. Council member Michael Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-0401. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Town Marshal Jared Baer thanked Ken Smith for his donation to the K-9 program. Jared also thanked Deputy JR Northcutt for working extra shifts to ensure that the town has police coverage, when Jared was gone at training.

Charles Watts, Wolcott Summer Concert Committee, discussed concerns with having to wait for Council approval to make checks out for his vendors, since the funds are being ran through the Town. The Clerk Treasures office will check with SBOA to see if the town can do a pre-approval for his checks. Charles also requested a reimbursement check, due to him having to pay the Committee’s insurance out of his own pocket. Council Member Janet Gross made a motion to reimburse Charles for the insurance payment. Council member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

A resident brought up some concerns over a stormwater drain that needs cleaned out on the corner of Homer Ln and E North St. Jeff Province said that he would look into the issue.

Meeting adjourned.