Council Tables Fire Contract(posted Sept 13) It took less than five minutes before the Clermont Town Council decided to table the fire contract with Wayne Township at the September 13 council meeting. As of now, the contract is unacceptable because the council is under the impression that the contract amount is based on Wayne Township's tax rate of .62 cents per $100.00 times the assessed valuation instead of Clermont's at .47 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Town Attorney Robert Lutz indicated Department of Local Government Finance's directions would have given Clermont the ability to use the lesser tax rate. Lutz advised the council to read the contract before he took their concerns back to Wayne Township. The council also refused to act on Police Chief George Hughes' request to buy a used 2004-2005 Crown Victoria from the Speedway Police Department until he had a firm price. He estimated the price range between $7,500 and $8,000. Hughes told the council that he was in need of a band aid because one of the patrol car's engines is about to blow. Currently the car cannot exceed 50 mph. Police Commissioner John Miller supported Hughes' recommendation because of the urgency. If the engine goes, the town would be stuck with an inoperable car that would have less value at auction if the council decided to let it go as it is now. Council President Bob Hinshaw said if the council purchases the used car now there will not be enough money in the budget to afford two new patrol cars next year. It would probably just be one. Hinshaw said he would not call a special meeting just to buy a used car and that the matter would have to wait until next month. Hinshaw recommended Hughes take out the K-9 cage and rotate the dysfunctional car out of normal use. The council also refused to print Councilman Walt Miller's dissenting opinion about the council's decision not to install sidewalks north on Tansel Road near Miller Park. Councilor Nancy Baxter asked the council whether she should print the "tacky" letter in the town's newsletter. Walt Miller was not present at the meeting. Hinshaw said the letter was "inappropriate" for Miller to write letter as a councilman rather than under his own name. Baxter said she did not have a problem with extending sidewalks north to Lincoln Wood subdivision if Miller could legally promise her it would not cost the town money. Councilor Vonda Kiger was doubtful that could happen as she explained that most grants are 20-80 matching funds, and the town would probably have to fund 20 percent. Many grants are paid on a reimbursement basis, so the town would have to spend the money first. Councilor John Miller believed Walt's sidewalk plan did not make sense because he interpreted the project as crossing over Tansel Road twice to connect to existing sidewalks and in some parts the sidewalk would not even be in Clermont's right-of-way. The council is also discussed the possibility of allowing reserve officers a $400 clothing allowance to cover expenses like a gun belt and vest. The council discussed that a time commitment of completing a 90 day field training and one year of service would be a condition. If the officer left prior to these commitments, he would have to reimburse the town. "The reimbursement is not with materials, but with money," Hughes said. |
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