Redkey addresses stray animal issue (08/15/2008)

REDKEY - Dogs beware.

And cats better be cautious, too.

Critter Control will be patrolling for stray dogs and cats in Redkey starting Monday and continuing at least through October.

Redkey council members voted unanimously Thursday night to employ the animal control firm at a cost of $50 a week through Oct. 31, and possibly longer if problems with stray animals persist.

Critter Control, which is based in Pennville, will patrol from from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to locate and capture stray dogs and cats. For an additional fee of $159 a call, the company will respond to emergency calls from town officials, council member Terri Taylor said.

Several years ago, the town employed Critter Control for a similar service, and Redkey officials were pleased with the results. However, since that time the stray dog and cat problem has slowly gotten out of control.

Councilman Phil Philebaum, who supervises the police department, said officers have been receiving numerous complaints about stray dogs and cats this summer.

"I don't like the fact that children will soon be walking to go back to school with all these loose dogs roaming around," Taylor said.

Redkey sewer department superintendent Violet Erlenbush said she recently encountered "a gigantic dog", which was running loose and chased her truck.

Critter Control "did an excellent job the last time," Erlenbush added.

Taylor said the firm also agreed to trap raccoons during the regular weekday hours. Redkey Fire Chief Randy Young said he knew of at least one family of raccoons living in an old downtown building.

Clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby said that although town money was limited, there was $7,000 in an equipment repair fund which could be transferred to animal control.

In other business at Thursday night's meeting, town council members:

•Heard a report from Stanley that Redkey resident Billie Huggins has offered to donate a 40-foot tall flagpole. Stanley said it could replace a smaller, less sturdy flagpole near town hall.

•Listened to Philebaum read a letter from Redkey resident Ronnie Cochrane complimenting the work of the police department.

•Heard Philebaum report that the police department's 2004 Dodge Intrepid patrol car needs about $1,000 in repairs. As an alternative he suggested that possibly a new 2009 car could be purchased. However, council members questioned taking on such an expense.

Town council member Charles Noble said his personal car had about 250,000 miles on it, and it was still running. He questioned why the town's police cars couldn't last as long.

•Noted that Jay School Corporation offered to donate pieces of playground equipment from Redkey Elementary School to Morgan Park, but volunteer labor would be needed to help move the equipment to the park site. Those interested in volunteering should call park board member Terri Heston or the town hall. Fire Chief Randy Young agreed to meet with Heston to determine how the move could be made with volunteer labor and borrowed equipment.

•Tabled discussion on establishing new personnel policy regulations as well as guidelines for use of Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds until a future meeting.

•Agreed to request a loan of EDIT funds from the Redkey Economic Development Corporation to make some of the initial payments to Watson Excavating of Redkey for work on the Ind. 1 water main relocation project. The town is responsible for the project connection with the state's plans to resurface Ind. 1 through Redkey.

•Scheduled a budget workshop session for Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. at Redkey town hall, and a regular town council meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28.[[In-content Ad]]