Animal talk tops agenda

REDKEY - Options for animal control enforcement are still under consideration following a special town council meeting Thursday.

Faced with the dilemma of knowing they need to crack down on animal control problems in the community but having limited funds, council members are studying proposals from Critter Control, a Pennville firm, and Charles "Butch" Parfitt, former animal control officer in Dunkirk.

Meanwhile the town's new, stricter animal control ordinance is scheduled to take effect Sunday. The new ordinance was approved in April.

Thursday, town council members received a proposal from Parfitt, proposing to provide animal control services for $50 a week plus fuel costs. For that fee he agreed to work five days a week, setting his own hours, plus answering emergency calls. He also agreed to pick up wild animals like raccoons and opossums as well as dogs and cats.

Parfitt did not detail to the council his plans for housing captured animals, nor was a procedure for residents to re-claim pets discussed.

Previously, Critter Control had submitted a proposal calling for a one-year contract with a charge of $100 a week or $5,200 a year.

Only dogs and cats would be covered under the contract, and there would be a $35 charge per captured dog or cat.

Town clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby said Thursday Redkey has $1,600 in its annual budget for animal control expenses.

In the absence of town council president Doug Stanley, vice president Dottie Quakenbush chaired Thursday's special meeting. She and other council members asked several questions about the Parfitt proposal, including whether it would be best to employ him as a private contractor or town employee. Questions about insurance and equipment issues were also raised.

Council members agreed to table the issue until their next meeting, May 21.

Quakenbush said she would contact town attorney John Brooke for his opinions and advice.

Redkey resident Joe Anderson offered his thoughts Thursday, saying he believed that raccoons were a bigger problem than stray cats and dogs. He also said stricter trash regulations would help the situation.

In other business Thursday, council members:

•Heard a report from Redkey wastewater treatment supervisor Violet Erlenbush and Jim Rush, representing Culy Construction and Excavating, Winchester, about the need for between $12,200 and $16,600 in repairs to essential pieces of equipment at the wastewater treatment plant.

Rush recommended having the work done on a time and materials basis to achieve the lowest cost possible. The work will involve gearbox repairs, replacement of bearings and seals and aerator shaft repairs, Rush said.

Erlenbush recommended doing the work as soon as possible, as once weather temperatures become hotter in the summer, the problems will be increased. She said the gearbox is currently leaking oil. Also she recommended making the repairs as quickly as possible to avoid fines from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Council members voted 3-1 to authorize Culy to make the repairs. Casting the negative vote was Terri Taylor who said that she would have liked more time to study the matter and just exactly what repairs were needed.

•Tabled discussion about a nuisance ordinance proposal until Quakenbush could clarify some points with Brooke who was not present at Thursday's meeting. The town attorney had drafted the proposal, but Redkey Marshal Donnie James raised several questions Thursday, calling for additions and changes.

James went through his list of suggestions point by point, causing Quakenbush to ask that the matter be tabled until Brooke had an opportunity to respond.

The nuisance ordinance will deal with abandoned vehicles (including motor boats), rubbish, noxious odors, noise, and trees or shrubbery obstructing streets and sidewalks.

•Discussed the need to continue to keep a watch on spending and budget issues.[[In-content Ad]]