The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 15, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 5 September 1991 — Page 6

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THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - SEPTEMBER 5, 1991

WALKERTON TOWN BOARD MINUTES The Walkerton Town Council met in a special meeting at 7:00 p.m. on August 26, with the following members present: Gene Reese, Maggie Gaddis, Cheryl Rizek, Walter Heil and Leonard Jaske. Gerk-treasurer Judy Hiler was also present. Rizek asked if there were any questions before we proceeded with the second and third readings of Ordinance No. 1991-06, An Ordinance for Appropriations and Tax Rates. Roman Brehm asked for a public breakdown of a fifty-one percent increase in the tax rate, particularly in the General Fund. He wanted to know what these additional revenues would be spent for. Rizek explained that each department submits their individual budgets to the council, and these budgets are usually over the five percent increase that they’re allowed. The council re-

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views these budgets, makes some cuts, but leaves some cushion in each one. Rizek said that it's better to go in higher than too low. Notations are made on where cuts can be made when we go to our budget hearing. The clerk added that our advertised rate was higher last year then this year. The tax rates that Brehm are comparing are the 1992 advertised rate, and the 1991 actual rate, after the cuts had been made. The council stressed the fact that there are no major increases or changes in the budget. Overall most departments have submitted more realistic budgets this year. The clerk said that the state advises keeping the advertised rate high, and suggests using only a percentage of the estimated assessed valuation when figuring the rate. You can cut the budget and reduce the advertised tax rate, but you can not raise it. A copy of the budget is on file in the Town Hall, and can be reviewed by the public. Karol Jackson, of the ambulance service, is concerned about Hepatitis B shots, that may become

mandatory for volunteer personnel. These shots are very costly, and Jackson is concerned about what this expense will do to their budget. Rizek said that this is something that we’ll have to look into, as no one has yet been notified that the shots will be mandatory. Jaske suggested that our insurance may cover the cost of the shots, if they are necessary. Len Jaske made the motion to do the second and third readings of Ordinance No. 1991-06, in short form. Seconded by Walt Heil. Carried. Len Jaske made the motion to accept the second reading. Seconded by Maggie Gaddis. Carried. Len Jaske made the motion to accept the third reading. Seconded by Gene Reese. Carried. OLD BUSINESS: Due to our next regular meeting date falling on Labor Day, Len Jaske made the motion to change the meeting to Tuesday, September 3, at 7:00 p.m. Seconded by Maggie Gaddis. Carried. NEW BUSINESS: The council has received numerous complaints about the new radio, communication center, and department heads and a representative from Motorola were asked to come in to discuss the problems. Police Chief Gassensmith said that NOW RENTING Mini-Storage Located In The North Liberty Industrial Park Sizes Starting At sxlo — 10x10 10 x 20 - 10 x 30 656-4914 9:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m.

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the main complaint is the engineering of the radio base. Calls coming in over the speakers on the base are picked up by the microphone when the dispatcher is calling out, resulting in garbled messages. Another complaint is that when the new radio base was installed, the utilities radio was moved from here, and put with the ambulance radio, in the water plant. The system, at the water plant, goes out frequently, leaving the utilities and ambulance service without radio communication until someone can get to the water plant to flip the circuit breaker. This mainly occurs during a storm. Besides the inconvenience, the radio dispatcher is unable to tell that it has happened, and is unaware that calls are not getting through. Fire Chief Jeff Baker and Asst. Chief John McGovern said that in addition to the garbled messages, they are getting short tones on their pagers instead of the longer one that they are used to receiving. Superintendent Back said that Sam Edson from Motorola is going to have a back up unit installed in the radio room, at no extra charge, for the utilities radio. The problem still remains as to how the dispatch operator can tell if the utility and ambulance readios have gone out. Karol Jackson and Jon LEARN SCUBA DIVING Classes Start Sept. 10 Contact STAN BATEMAN (219) 936-7438 After 6:00 p.m. & Weekends Plymouth ;issa

Meyer said that the ambulance service is faced with the same problems of garbled messages and their radio also goes out, since it too is at the water plant. Rizek asked Tony, the service representative from Motorola, what solutions they have come up with, for all these problems. Tony answered that some of the advantages of this radio are; to give access to a number of channels, crosspatch capabilities, built in thumb encoders and the ability to have everything conveniently located. Rizek asked if anyone else has had these same problems. Tony said that most of his contact with control centers has been with dispatchers who have the responsibility of one or two channels. Our dispatchers handle six channels. Some solutions would be; a headset for the dispatchers, the console can be set up so that it mutes all unselected traffic and reducing the sensitivity of the microphone. Tony will be here on Wednesday, and then will check these problems with Motorola. Another general discussion meeting may be held to see what solutions have been worked out, and to see if all departments are satisfied with the system. A twenty-four hour tape recorder for dispatch was discussed. Gas-E-Z STUMP REMOVAL REASONABLE RATES Bill Ellinger 586-2167 Walkerton FULLY INSUBED ________’ 4 25 91p