Redkey cleanup pending

REDKEY — There has been plenty of discussion but little progress in cleaning up lots here choked by weeds and litter.
Town officials said Thursday night that while some property owners have responded to requests for action, others have not, and the town’s new policy of using economic development income tax (EDIT) funds to make immediate improvements and try to collect reimbursements later, has not yet been implemented.
 Council members said preliminary steps have either been taken or are in the process of being taken.
 Eric Young Landscaping, Redkey, is preparing cost estimates to clean up the worst properties, and at Thursday’s regular monthly Redkey meeting, council president Terri Taylor said a special meeting will likely be called soon ahead of the cleanup. The council is set to meet next on Oct. 21.
In August, council members agreed to use up to $5,000 in EDIT funds for the cleanup and weed-cutting work, and attempt to then seek reimbursement from property owners. The council also approved an ordinance establishing a property cleanup fund.
Cleaning up some of the lots will require dumpsters and the clearing of large pieces of junk and old tires before weed-cutting equipment can be used, town officials said.
Taylor said Thursday that she feels enough warnings have been given, and the new policy should be implemented as soon as possible.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, Redkey council members:
•Agreed to have the town repair a section of the decorative downtown red brick sidewalk in front of the Snip and Clip Beauty Shop, 125 W. High St., which is now a hazard to pedestrians. The section of sidewalk is near the Redkey Post Office. Council members voted to have it repaired at a cost not to exceed $500 with the job to be supervised by town water and street department superintendent Bill Tressler.
Tressler said water has been seeping under the bricks in that area and special measures will need to be taken to make the repairs and prevent future problems. A warning cone has been placed at the location.
•Approved transferring $5,000 from the town’s building repair fund to the attorney’s fee account. A total of $12,000 was originally budgeted for 2010 for attorney expenses; that fund is nearly in the red, clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby said.
Kirby said the most recent monthly bill from the attorney totaled $2,800.
Council members agreed not to have the town attorney attend council sessions for the rest of the year unless a special request is made by a majority of council members. This will also result in lower payments for attorney services.
•Set Halloween trick-or-treat hours on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Redkey Fire Chief Randy Young said the volunteer fire department’s annual Halloween costume contest and parade for children will begin at Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Redkey Fire Station.
•Noted that the town will hold public hearings on its 2011 budget at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in Redkey Town Hall, 20 S. Ash St.
•Approved the appointment of Taylor as Redkey’s representative on the Jay County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, replacing Doug Stanley who announced plans to step down from that post.
•Set the week of Oct. 25 to 29 for flushing water hydrants throughout the community. Water may be discolored during that week.
•Noted that paving on Logan Street and other streets in the community should begin in late September.
•Rejected a request that residents be granted water bill adjustments for watering trees, including those with town rights-of-way. Council members noted that there used to be an adjusted rate in the summer to allow for sprinkling lawns, but that had been discontinued and they did not want to start a new adjustment policy for watering trees.[[In-content Ad]]