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

Redkey hires Critter Control (9/21/04)

Company will help with nuisance animals

By By Robert [email protected]

REDKEY — The population here might soon be decreasing substantially. The animal population, that is.

Town council members voted unanimously Monday to enter into a one-year agreement with Critter Control of Muncie to help solve stray cat and dog problems in the community, as well as trap and remove wild, nuisance animals such as raccoons, opossums and skunks.

Explaining his firm’s services and possible benefits for Redkey, Critter Control president Tim Dale said he had spent about three hours looking over the community and in that short time counted more than 50 stray cats.

Dale said there also was a raccoon problem. “ I want to trap the stray cats and raccoons. I don’t think there’s a big problem now with dogs, but we could help with them, too,” Dale said.

Critter Control will charge Redkey $550 a month for its basic services with an additional fee of $85 per call for any emergency service responses necessary. These emergency responses would be offered on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis.

Also the animal control agreement can be canceled without penalty upon the receipt of 30 days written notice from either party.

Dale said raccoons have been identified as carrying rabies in Indiana, and consequently they should not be allowed to roam in Redkey.

“This is a serious problem,” town council president Violet Erlenbush said. She explained that currently, either she or the police respond to complaints about stray animals, and the town does not have the proper equipment to deal with problem animals. Erlenbush said just last week, she was scratched several times by a stray cat.

“We need help,” she said.

Dale submitted a four-page contract for the town officials to review, noting he had a “nuisance wildlife permit” from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Dale said he would trap the raccoons and then relocate them to a rural area away from Redkey.

Dale said collected cats would be taken to the Jay County Animal Shelter where they could be held for their owner to claim them, offered for adoption or euthanized.

Supporting the approval of the contract, Erlenbush said, “We’re not out to get anyone’s pets.”

The contract was unanimously approved. However, town council member Brenda Collett was absent from the meeting.

“How soon do you want me to start?” Dale asked after Monday night’s vote. Erlenbush quickly replied, “Tomorrow.”

In other business at Monday night’s town meeting, council members:

•Unanimously approved an ordinance setting standards for posting of address numbers throughout the community. These numbers should be at least three inches in height, the ordinance states.

“This is desperately needed,” Erlenbush said, noting that emergency crews have had trouble locating homes when house numbers were not visible.

Town attorney John Brooke said it will be a landlord’s responsibility to have the numbers posted on rental homes or apartment dwellings. This ordinance will have to be published in a legal ad before taking effect.

•Looked over a proposal to regulate and set standards for the operation of golf carts on town streets. No action was taken on this matter with discussion on the topic slated for next month’s town council meeting on Monday, Oct. 18.

•Approved second and final reading of the 2005 budget ordinance totaling $395,000 with $178,000 to be raised from property taxes.

•Heard a presentation from consulting engineer Chad Ducey of Werks Management LLC of Fishers regarding improvements being made to the town’s wastewater treatment facilities. Ducey said despite limited resources, progress was being made toward some “real world solutions” to improve plant operations and meet Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements.

“We’re making steady progress,” Ducey said.

•Heard a report from Redkey Park Board president Delford Lowe that work is scheduled to begin soon on new horseshoe pits at the park.

He also noted that a community cook-out and picnic is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Oct. 16, in the park. Those attending are asked to bring a covered dish, while the town supplies the meat and soft drinks.

Also town council members approved the appointments of Scott Lowe and John Hill to serve on the park board.

•Set a tentative date of Saturday, Oct. 23, for Redkey’s fall clean-up day.[[In-content Ad]]
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