The Independent-News, Volume 121, Number 46, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 28 March 1996 — Page 8

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INDEPENDENT NEWS — MARCH 28, 1996

Walkerion Town Council Minutes CALL TO ORDER The Walkerton Town Council met on Feb. 19, at 7:00 p.m. There were 28 people present. ROLL CALL The following council members were present: Gene Reese, Walter Heil, Randy Hoover, Gordon Hartsell and Gregory Williams. Kathryn Chrapliwy, clerk-treasurer and Fred Jones, town attorney, were also present. MINUTES The minutes to the Feb. 19 meeting were approved by general consent. OLD BUSINESS Fire Dept. Report/Larry Dill The fire department report was not received because of Larry Dill’s absence. Plan Commission Recommendation: The Plan Commission presented an adverse recommendation on the Randy Williams request for rezoning of certain lots in Williams Hickory Lanes Subdivision. Council member Hoover accepted the Plan Commission’s adverse recommendation as presented, seconded by Heil, with the adverse recommendation stood approved on a 5-0 vote. Reese made a motion to advertise for a hearing on the request from Randy Williams to rezone. Heil seconded the motion and the motion passed with a 50 vote. Terrance Baugher Claims: Two claims were presented for approval, they were: Adams Street Storm Sewer Consulting Engineering Services invoice for $4,261.88. Washington Street-Adams Street Water Main Consulting Engineering Services invoice for $7,695.58. Both claims were for Terrance Baugher. The claims were approved on a motion by Hartsell, seconded by Reese, all members voted in favor. Banking Account Interest/Barbara Houk: Ms. Barbara BarnesHouk presented a proposal for the town’s checking account to have a calculation after service activity charges based on the average 13week treasury bill auction discount rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. Since the rate will be different each month, the council has asked that the clerk-treasurer and Ms. Houk monitor the rate periodically. Without signing an agreement the council approved of this new method of calculation on a motion by Reese and a second by Heil, the vote was 5-0 in favor. Electric Rate Adver-

tisement: The town attorney advised the council that he had not been able to contact the previous attorney as to why the rate had not been advertised such as had been the case in Bremen. Reese asked that an answer be given to them by the next council meeting. Reese made a motion to advertise the rate increase, seconded by Hartsell, the motion carried with a 4-1 vote, with Williams voting nay. NEW BUSINESS Park Board/Traci Fry: Park Board president, Traci Fry, informed the council that one of the Park Board members had resigned. They recommended Robin Harper to fill that position. The council had no objections to their selection. Fry also discussed issues of rent on the buildings and how they had intended to proceed with that in the future. A request was made to be allowed to use town employees and equipment when the new park equipment arrived. The council said that they would not have a problem with that. Pumpkin Festival/Julie Morton: Chamber president, Nedra Williams, introduced Julie Morton as the person who would be in charge of the Pumpkin Festival this year. Ms. Morton informed the council that she had already started with some of the arrangements and would work with the council when the occasion arises. Section 8 Income Guidelines: The council was presented with the new income guidelines for housing rehabilitation. Electrical Advisory Meeting: Council president, Williams, informed the council that the Electrical Advisory Board met on Feb. 27th. They have begun their study on the rates and have asked the clerk to supply them with a half year of demand customers, a half year of the five highest and five lowest of residential, small commercial and large commercial customers history for their review. This history will help in the development of rate structures. Council member Hoover made a motion to allow Supt. David Bolze to supply the Electrical Advisory Board with information, seconded by Heil, the motion passed with a 50 vote. County Option Tax: Information was given to the council on revenue that would come in providing the County Option Tax passes through. Chamber Os Commerce: Chamber of Commerce

offered the council a membership for the discount rate of $280.25. The council accepted the rate and will approve that claim in tonight’s claim docket. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Police Dept./Chief Sobieralski: Police Chief, Carl Sobieralski, gave his monthly report for Feb. Reese asked about the handling of overtime and compensated time. He was told that no compensated time was received anymore and overtime was being paid for time worked over the alloted amount of time allowable. Humane Society Report: A monthly report was presented to the council. Reese remarked about the very few number of animals that were handled by the Humane Society for Walkerton. Chief Sobieralski told the council that there were many other services that the Humane Society provided to the town. Annual Report: The clerk-treasurer presented the council with their individual copy of the 1995 annual report. A comment was made by council president that the Electric Operating Fund did not appear to be losing money since the balance at the end of the year was approximately $50,000 more than it was at the beginning of that year. The clerktreasurer also pointed out that for the first time in the last eight years the fixed assets were indicated on the report. CLAIMS Claims 223 to 270 totaling $98,051.19 (with the adjustment of the Chamber of Commerce claim) and the payroll docket totaling $21,814.73 were approved on a motion by Reese and seconded by Hoover, claims passed with a 5-0 vote. CITIZEN INPUT Robert Throm addressed the council on the damage that he alleges happened to poles that were on his property when the excavation took place during the North Sewer Extension. The council took his complaint under advisement. Terry Roush asked about the status of the Randy Williams rezoning request. The council informed him that a hearing would be necessary and that everyone would be properly notified. Elsie Heimer, Lincoln Township Trustee, informed the council that they were working on getting permission to use the fire building for their classes. Council president Williams asked the council to come to some kind of agreement on how schooling contracts would be handled in the future. It was determined that

Kenny Eggleston’s contract would be for $5,000.00 and would be prorated per month for 36 months. This was approved on a motion by Hoover and seconded by Reese, the vote was 5-0. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the council the meeting adjourned on a motion by Heil, seconded by Reese, vote 5-0. Administrative Meeting The following people were present for the Administrative meeting: Council members Randy Hoover, Walter Heil, Gregory Williams, Gordon Hartsell and Gene Reese. Clerktreasurer, Kathryn Chrapliwy and town employees, Tod Brem and Kenny Eggleston were also present. The subject of wages and job descriptions were discussed. No decisions were made at this meeting. UMW GATHER The Walkerton United Methodist Women met in the church on Thursday, March 21, at 7:15 p.m. with the meeting being called to order by the president, Loretta Pressel, welcoming all followed by a prayer. The secretary, Mary Hahn, read the minutes followed by Linda Relos giving the treasurer’s report. A special thank you goes to everyone who joined in with the After Church Dinner, held recently, for those who helped with the food, worked in anyway and for those who came and enjoyed the meal. It was reported that there are 10 new members and three ladies who have been inactive who wish to become active members again. The women who are employed will begin an evening cirlce with more on this at a later date. The UMW meets the second Monday afternoon of the month at 1 p.m., but in April the women will meet on the third Monday due to the Easter holiday, at the home of Mildred Smith. There are also four general meetings held in the evening throughout the year. A Bake Sale will be held on Sat., April 6, at 9 a.m., at Ist Source Bank lobby and members are reminded to bring their baked goods in by 9 a.m. Then on April 13 is the spring Inspiration Day at the Lakeville United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, meet at the local church parking lot if you care to car pool. Also if you wish to bring towels, pillowcases, bed sheets for a single bed or wash cloths for the mission project. Then in May the annual Mother-Daughter Banquet will be held on the 9th with a pot luck supper at 6:30 p.m. We were informed that

our presdient will also serve on the District Christian Social Involvement committee, congratulations. The meeting was turned over to Mildred Smith who presented the program entitled, “Broken Vessels, Cups of Blessing, alleviating the trauma of violence.’’ We found out what it means to be called to prayer, self-denial and participate in a quiet day. We worship and reflect and deny ourselves by giving a special offering which will help those heal from the pain of violence in their lives. Assisting Mrs. Smith were Marilyn Wallace, Elsie Keck, Velma Stahly, Mary Hahn, Sherrill Kickbush, Loretta Pressel, Eileen Clark and Linda Relos. INTERNET TRAINING FREE TO THE COMMUNITY The Oregon-Davis School Corp, will hold an informational meting which will be open to the general public for the purpose of learning about the worldwide communication web of Internet. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. This meeting will be held on Monday, April 1, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Oregon-Davis Jr/Sr High School cafeteria. The Oregon-Davis administration would like to extend this invitation to all Starke County Schools and resident to include not only Oregon and Davjs townships but those also in Knox, North Judson and San Pierre. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending. LIBERTY TWP. 4-H ENROLLMENT SET FOR APRIL 3 Enrollment for the Liberty Township 4-H will be held on Wednesday, April 3, at the North Liberty Elementary School, at 7:00 p.m. This is a night to enroll for the 1996 St. Joseph County Fair. 4-H has projects for ages three to 18 in the current year. The St. Joseph County 4-H Fair will be held on July 29 to August 3. Also on this night awards will be given out from the 1995 fair. Please come and join this educational program for the summer. For more information please call 656-4056 or 6568734. MARSHALL CO. AARP TO MEET MARCH 28 The Marshall Co. Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will meet on Thursday, March 28, at 10 a.m., in the First United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 321 N. Center St., Plymouth. Speaker for the meeting will be the honorable mayor of Plymouth, Jack Greenlee.