Geneva celebration planned (8/4/04)

GENEVA — A celebration is in the works.

The Geneva Fire Department is planning to celebrate its 100 year anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Department officials are planning an open house and ceremony at the fire station, assistant fire chief John Patch reported Tuesday to the Geneva Town Council.

A dinner also is being planned for all past and present Geneva volunteer firefighters, Patch said. That event will not be open to the public.

Councilman Mike Schwartz suggested the department have a portrait taken to commemorate the 100-year anniversary.

In other business, council members received a copy of the town’s 2005 budget.

The budget increased $51,954 to $761,653 for 2005 from this year’s total of $709,699.

The council is set to vote on the budget at its Tuesday, Sept. 7 regular meeting. The budget is set for adoption at a special 3 p.m. meeting on Friday, Sept. 17.

Also Tuesday, council members adopted a resolution to name the street leading to a day-care center for children of Red Gold migrant employees, Selita Drive after Red Gold official Selita Reichart. The facility, located west of U-Loc Storage on U.S. 27 in Geneva, houses free day-care during the company’s harvest season from late July to mid-October. When the center is not in use, town groups are welcome to use the facility.

The street was donated to the town by property owners Mike and Mary Fields of Geneva.

“(Red Gold) had a lot to do with the center,” town clerk-treasurer Doug Milligan said after suggesting the name.

Also, the council:

•Accepted a $11,515 quote from LICA Construction Corp. of Linn Grove to remove and replace existing asphalt in an alley between East Line and Shackley streets.

•Approved the purchase of six new fire hydrants for $5,866.20 from Underground Pipe & Valve of Fort Wayne.

Town employees will install the six hydrants that are “in desperate need of replacement,” town manager Steve Hampshire reported.

•Chose to purchase a $1,955 sign for the town hall designed by Hilty Signs of Geneva.

The sign, measuring 38 by 45 inches, will be located on the front of the building.

•Approved the third and final reading of the wage and salary ordinance. This ordinance includes a 13 percent wage increase for the town manager, boosting that salary to $39,873.60 a year and a 7 percent wage increase for the town marshal, who will be making $15.60 an hour after Jan. 1, 2005.

The ordinance also includes a 3 percent wage increase for all other town employees.

•Approved the second reading of an ordinance defining employee benefits including vacation days, sick leave, leave of absence, personal days, bereavement and holidays.

This ordinance was last updated in 1998, Milligan said.

•Adopted the town’s employee handbook prepared by Milligan.

The handbook includes policies and procedures for town employees, as well as information on benefits, insurance, vacation and overtime.

Council president Jim Timmons said Tuesday he would like the handbook to be presented and explained to all town employees.

•Tabled voting on the third and final reading of the town’s sewer use ordinance.

Town attorney Chris Harvey said Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials wanted to OK the ordinance before it is approved by town officials.

•Heard Hampshire report a fence has been installed around the leaf and brush pile at the south end of Hale Street. He also said the pile was recently chopped up, and mulch is available for free to the public.

•Approved the $1,670 purchase of a cover to protect the town’s road salt supply.

•Approved a $950 quote from Dick Martin of Portland to power wash and paint the exterior of the town’s water plant and pump house.[[In-content Ad]]