July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

New council takes charge (02/23/07)

Redkey Town Council

By By ROBERT BANSER-

REDKEY - Trying to determine the status of current operations and capabilities with a look toward future projects and changes, new town council members Doug Stanley and Charles Noble asked numerous questions of town department heads at Thursday evening's council session.

Chairing the second meeting as president of the council, Stanley made it clear that he intends to be involved firsthand with town operations and procedures.

He has already toured Redkey utility facilities and volunteered to make phone calls and other contacts on behalf of the town, as needed.

Stanley pointed out that he and Redkey Marshal Donnie James recently attended a planning meeting about how best to deal with a possible pandemic flu outbreak, should one occur in Jay County. This session was chaired by Jay County Public Health Coordinator Jim Waechter.

Stanley said Waechter would like to have him help organize an informational program for Redkey residents on this topic.

Stanley said if a pandemic flu outbreak ever becomes a reality, it would pose "a very, very serious problem and we should be prepared for it."

Educating the public about such a possibility is extremely important, Stanley said.

He added that Noble had volunteered to help him work on the possibility of setting up a meeting on this topic at in the Key Palace Theatre in Redkey.

In other business at Thursday's meeting council members:

•Tabled discussion of a loitering/curfew ordinance, pending more research on the topic.

•Thanked town employees for their work during and after last week's snow storm. "I want to thank everybody for an excellent job," Stanley said.

•Heard an update on the town's financial situation from clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby. "We're still in the black with all our funds," Kirby said, while noting that some temporary loans from the general fund may be needed in the coming weeks to help prevent any cash-flow problems. Also she added that the town's next insurance policy payment of $35,000 to $40,000 is due in April.

Kirby said that the town was continuing to make progress toward improving its overall financial situation. She said consideration should also be given to raising water and wastewater treatment rates in the near future.

•Pointed out that a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. to discuss water department improvements and the possibility of obtaining a United States Department of Agriculture grant for the necessary work. That hearing will be held in Redkey Town Hall.

•Listened to reports from utility workers Greg McIlwain and Violet Erlenbush about equipment needs in their departments. They said four fire hydrants need to be replaced at various locations in the community.

McIlwain said he has fire hydrants on hand which could be used for this project once the weather improves. He said some limited boil orders may have to be issued for certain neighborhoods when this work is done.

•Discussed the possibility of attaching flags to the tops of fire hydrants, making them more visible during snow emergencies.

•Heard Noble say that he wanted to improve communication and cooperation between the town's park board and Redkey Junior League baseball and softball organization leaders.

Noble said he was also interested in working toward trying to get grant funds for park improvements. Park board president Eric Young also offered to work on grant funding requests. He noted that park board meetings were held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Redkey Park Cabin.[[In-content Ad]]REDKEY - Attempts to pass a zoning ordinance have fallens short, but members of the Redkey Council are taking steps to limit the type of mobile home placed in the town.

On Thursday, the council approved the first of two required readings of a new ordinance setting forth regulations for mobile homes within the town limits. This ordinance will supersede previous ordinances on this topic in Redkey. It addresses such issues as age of the mobile homes, setback requirements, foundations and square footage requirements.

The office of town attorney John Brooke prepared the ordinance proposal which is still subject to change before its final passage on second reading. According to the proposal, the owner of a mobile home will be required to obtain a permit from the town council before "placing, parking, storing, erecting, maintaining or keeping the mobile home within the corporate limits of the town." Also a permit fee of $100 will be charged, the proposed ordinance states.

Attorney Leslie Horn, who was substituting for Brooke at Thursday's meeting, said she could be contacted by council members about changes in the proposal which could then be submitted for a second and final vote at the council's next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on March 15 in town hall.
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