Redkey council OKs raise

REDKEY — A town employee will be receiving a pay raise.
Redkey Town Council made a change to its salary ordinance Thursday for a $150 weekly pay raise for Randy Young.
Also a business owner was approved for a loan to replace the roofs on his buildings and town marshal Todd Miller gave an update on the community safety meeting held Monday.
Young, who serves as an apprentice at the wastewater treatment plant, has been putting in extra hours after Darin James resigned as a certified water operator at the water department, Pilot Bechtol was fired and Matthew Moeller resigned.
Young has been doing water testing and will also be reading meters for the town.
Advertising for a new water department superintendent will continue through Wednesday. Clerk-treasurer Debbie James said 10 applications have been received so far and council set a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday to review the applications and set up interviews.
Council approved a $50,000 loan for John Runyon, the owner of the Key Diner and Key Palace Theater, from the economic development committee, at the recommendation of Young, who serves on the committee.
The five-year loan will be used to replace the roofs on the businesses.
Miller said the issue of street lights not being on was discussed at the community safety meeting.
“I think that’s something we need to show some attention to,” Miller said.
He said he thinks more street lights will reduce criminal activity and make the roads safer for drivers.
James said street lights have been turned off in the past to save on electric bills and currently cost the town between $1,700 and $1,900 per month.
Council agreed to have the police department do an inventory of which lights aren’t on, and council will discuss which ones should be turned on in the future. Police will also try to be at Redkey Elementary in the mornings for safety because it is now dark as children are arriving at school.
In other business, council members, Kyle Champ, Mike Wright, Ted Friddle, Greg Curme and Charles “Red” Coons:
•Heard Champ ask council to be thinking about who will replace him as president next year. “I’m obviously going to be done,” said Champ, who chose not to run for re-election to council.
•Approved at $150 donation to the Jay County Task Force to continue work in Redkey.
•Agreed to put 75 feet of gravel on Plum Street in exchange for an easement agreement for the wastewater project.
•Heard a certified letter from Jim Phillips, read by Champ, that criticized the cost of the sewer separation project in the town and said it won’t help flooding. The letter included 40 signatures.
•Learned from Young that an engineer will be meeting with him and Ami Huffman, community development director, on Nov. 9 to look at plans for the new fire station.
•Heard a flashlight candy craze will be held at 8:30 p.m. tonight at the Redkey Park. Kids should bring flashlights. Also line-up for the Halloween parade is 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the fire station, with the parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. Trick or treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
•Denied a request to grant a waiver on a $125 deposit to turn the water on at a property at 128 Elm St. owned by Larry Sutton. Also denied a request for Terri Heston to waive a $75 shut-off fee after a leak because it was after business hours.
•Approved water bill adjustments of $1,286.35.
•Approved claims totaling $88,829.45.