Council Meeting
July 6, 2021
6:00 p.m
Town Hall
101 W North Street
Present: Council President: Michael Johnson Other:
Council Vice President: Cameron Emond Sandra Gloss
Council Member: Jerry Lietz Joe Rogers
Council Member: Rex Pearson Gayle Rogers
Council Member: Darwin Miller Matt Hall
Utility Clerk: Breanna Wood George Blissett
Clerk Treasurer: Pamela Bennett Janell Hofstetter
Town Marshal: James Herre Marilyn Maxwell
Town Attorney Jacob Ahler Michel Marchand
Water Superintendent: Robert Thomas Michelle Earney
Wastewater Superintendent: John Emond
Council President Michael Johnson opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge to the flag.
Council President Michael Johnson presented Ordinance 2021-9 for approval. The Ordinance states that there will now be two signatures, from the Clerk Treasurer and Council President, required on all of the Town checks moving forward. Council Vice President Cameron Emond made a motion to approve Ordinance 2021-9. Couoncil Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Wastewater Superintendent John Emond reported that the Wastewater construction project is moving along well.
Water Superintendent Robert Thomas reported that there are problems with the well at the water plant and that the problems will be getting fixed soon. Council Member Darwin Miller informed Robert that he had received word from a resident that they have been having a hard time flushing their toilets after the Town gets heavy rainfall. Robert Thomas told the Council that he will look into the issue.
Town Marshal James Herre presented his monthly report.
Matt Hall presented a report on behalf of the Park Board. Matt announced that the paving project of the walking path, parking lot, and basketball court is now complete. Matt stated that they have put grass around the new basketball court. When the grass is completed, the remolding in the park will be finished. Matt thanked the community for all of their help and support. Matt also brought up an error the occurred on one of the Park’s water bills. Clerk Treasurer Pamela Bennett told the Council that the Utility Office will be making a credit to the Park’s water account, due to this being an error on the Town.
Council President Michael Johnson stated that he did not attend the last White County Economic Development meeting. Therefore, Michael did not have anything to report.
Michelle Earney reported that the 2021 Summer Festival was a success. Michelle thanked everyone for their help and support in making the festival a success. Council President Michael Johnson told Michelle that he had been approached by someone who stated that they were very impressed how well the committee pulled off the festival.
Marilyn Maxwell reported on behalf of the Mainstreet committee. Marilyn informed the Council that the Cornhole Tournament, at the festival, went over very well. There will be an architect that will be meeting with the Mainstreet committee to go over some new drawings for the old liquor store building. Darwin Miller offered to paint the building for the Mainstreet committee.
Council President Michael Johnson announced that the Council Members will be taking turns on giving tours at the Wolcott House. The Wolcott House will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. Michael mentioned that the Wolcott House will also be open on one Saturday per month. Michael then presented the June 2021 Council Meeting Minutes for approval. Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to approve the July 2021 minutes. Council Member Jerry Lietz second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
In Robert Bellucci’s absence, Council President Michael Johnson read Robert’s monthly report of jobs that have been completed to date, as well as jobs that should be finished by the end of July. Robert asked the Council, in his report, for approval to pay the contractor. Council Vice President Cameron Emond made a motion to approve payment. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Joe Rogers presented an amendment to the Council in regards to sign allocations. After little discussion, Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to approve the amendment. Council Member Jerry Lietz second the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Joe Rogers then presented Amendment 865 regarding parking requirements. After much discussion, Council Vice President Cameron Emond made a motion to approve the amendment. Council Member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Gayle Rogers announced to the Council that Witko was a few days late on turning in their property forms. In order for Witko to continue receiving their abatement, the Council would have to pass a waiver of noncompliance. If the Council decides not to pass the waiver, then Witko would not receive their abatement for this year. After much discussion, Council Vice President Cameron Emond made a motion to pass the waiver of noncompliance for Witko. Council Member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Council President Michael Johnson presented Resolution 2021-10 to the Council for approval. This Resolution states that the Council President, Clerk Treasurer, and Sandy Miller have authorized power to increase the credit card limit for purchases for the food pantry. Council Member Jerry Lietz asked if it would be possible to receive a separate card that will be specifically for the Food Pantry. Clerk Treasurer Pamela Bennett replied by stating that it would be possible to get a separate card for the Food Pantry. After little discussion, Council Vice President Cameron Emond made a motion to approve increasing the credit limit. Council Member Jerry Lietz second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
The Council received three bids to pave the park/Blake Street, part of Third Street, and West North Street. The following bids were presented to the Council:
Company Park/Blake St Third St North St Total Amount
Milestone $30,600 $17,300 $27,500 $75,400
Central Paving $21,571 $25,568 $18,982 $66,121
Town & Country $27,622 $28,476 $26,346 $82,444
After much discussion, the Council discovered that the Town is not able to pave the road in the park, due to the fact that the Town does not technically own it. Street Superintendent Robert Thomas and the Council decided to get bids to pave part of School Street, in place of the park/Blake Street. Due to the change in plans, the Town will have to redo the bids. The bids will be advertised.
Clerk Treasurer Pamela Bennett announced that she had received an update on the new Town truck. The bed still needs to be put on the truck and the company is having a hard time getting parts.
Council Vice President Cameron Emond made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.