Strays still a concern

REDKEY - "We've been down this road before."

That's how Redkey council president Doug Stanley summed up the situation Thursday night as complaints were aired about stray dogs and cats bothering residents of the town, which does not have an animal control officer.

Councilman Phil Philebaum opened the discussion by saying that Redkey police have been fielding numerous complaints about loose dogs and cats since the arrival of warmer weather.

Council representative Terri Taylor quickly agreed, and town employee Violet Erlenbush said a large dog chased her earlier Thursday while attempting to read water meters.

Redkey resident Terri Heston pointed out that stray dogs and cats were causing problems at her home. She said that recently she counted five stray dogs in her relatively small yard, possibly attracted by stray cats.

"This is something we have to work on," Stanley said, pointing out that similar concerns were voiced last spring as well as in previous years. The town council president then volunteered to contact Critter Control, a private company operated by Tim Dale of rural Pennville, which has helped Redkey deal with such problems in the past.

Also Thursday, clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby said the town's financial picture could get a little dimmer. Kirby said she recently received a letter from Jay County auditor Nancy Culy, stating town revenue for 2010 will be less than expected.

The new figures show a drop of $11,682 in the general fund, a decrease of nearly $1,000 in the cumulative capital improvement fund, and a dip of more than $600 in the park fund.

"We will have to watch our spending" even more closely, as a result of these decreases, Kirby emphasized.

In other business Thursday night, Redkey council members:

•Agreed to take quotes on mowing of town property. Robert Bicknell, who has been contracted the past several years, voluntarily gave up the position.

Council members will meet April 1 at 6 p.m. in the town hall to receive quotes and choose a contractor.

•Announced that the annual Easter egg hunt for children, sponsored by the Redkey Volunteer Fire Department would be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, on the Redkey Elementary School grounds.

•Heard a report by Fire Chief Randy Young that the Redkey Optimist Club and fire department will be co-sponsoring two circus performances May 11.

•Learned from Young that the recently repaired fire station roof is leaking. Stanley said he would contact Larry Kelly Roofing of Dunkirk, the firm that was hired by the town to make the repairs.

Continued•Approved spending money from the town's Rainy Day Fund to set up its tornado alert siren on a new pole in the center of town. The siren had previously been attached to the old water tower next to the fire station. That tower was replaced with a new reservoir tank at Mooney Park.

•Discussed the need to update the community's house numbering system and then require that numbers be clearly marked on buildings. This would help emergency personnel locate homes more quickly, Young explained.[[In-content Ad]]