BY ROSE SCHMITT
VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — Town council members seek interested residents for the town’s zoning board.
Town Attorney Stephanie Campbell recommended Tuesday night the council appoint a zoning board to handle issuing building permits and construction issues for the town. Five people are needed for the zoning board.
Campbell asked council members to each nominate one person for the board. A few names were tossed around at the meeting, but no one has yet been appointed.
“We need people that want to get involved in the town.” said Ken Smith, who was elected town council president.
In other business, council members:
-- Elected Steve Cates vice president of the town council for 2008. Other council members are Chris Rahm, Bob Barker and Seth Hoagland.
-- Changed the time of the town council regular meetings from 7 to 6 p.m. EST beginning with the next meeting Jan. 22. Regular town council meetings remain on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
-- Approved the $30,120 pay to Maddox Industrial of Indianapolis for its maintenance and repair work at the town’s sewer treatment plant.
-- Tabled a decision regarding security options at the town’s drinking water treatment plant so that more quotes can be received. Security options included fencing, alarm systems and security lights.
-- Learned from Connie Sichts, superintendent of the waste water treatment plant, that both plant 1 and plant 2 are operational.
-- Heard from resident Brian Lanham, who suggested the town police department consider using the empty bays in the fire station for their police cars. Town Marshal Neil Beck had discussed the need for shelter for police vehicles at a previous meeting. Beck said the police department already does use the empty bays to some extent, but only when the fire department is not using the space. Laura Bennett, clerk-treasurer, said the redevelopment commission would look into funding some kind or carport or garage for the police vehicles at its next meeting.
-- Heard from Sichts that the sewer lift station nearest to Viewer Hills is still receiving a lot of oil and grease and is clogging up again. Sichts said a grease trap would correct the problem and that there maybe other solutions to the problem. She would like to see the owner of Viewer Hills at least respond to the problem.
-- Discussed the legalities and liabilities involved in removing trees around town that are too close to electric lines.
-- Heard Rahm suggest looking into getting all of downtown Veedersburg included in a tax increment financing district.
-- Raised the Hub Park log cabin rental fee from $15 to $25 per use to help pay for its utility bills. Rent for groups who intend to use the cabin for fund raising or money making purposes is now $30. Resident Tom Reese suggested the council set aside a percentage of the rent and put it towards a special fund. The council said they would consider the idea.
-- Recommended Campbell draft an ordinance concerning the use of golf carts in town. Cates suggested golf carts not go more than 25 mph and have some kind of reflective device or lights. Penalties for failure to obey the ordinance would be fines of $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $100 for the third and any following offenses.
-- Voted to keep Campbell as the town’s attorney for another year.
-- Learned from Fire Chief Terry Shields there are a couple leaks in the town’s municipal and fire department building.
-- Scheduled an executive meeting with all town department heads for 5 p.m. Jan. 22, an hour before the regular town council meeting.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Veedersburg Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. EST Jan. 22 at the Veedersburg Municipal Building.
