Council, marshal spar in meeting

REDKEY — Tensions are bubbling between police and council.

Redkey Town Council discussed taking disciplinary measures against town marshal Zach Moser but took no action during a meeting Thursday. It also agreed to move forward with amending its animal ordinance and expressed issues with ongoing gas line work.

Council held an executive session July 29 regarding employee job performance evaluations. Council president Brenda Beaty said Moser “blew a gasket” at Redkey Town Hall and used foul language in front of clerk-treasurer Gloria May and her assistant, Billie Hammond.

Regarding his use of foul language, Moser explained his actions stemmed from what he said is a violation of Indiana Data and Communications System protocol. He accused Beaty of stealing the keys to his office. Beaty responded that she did not steal the keys, saying she had permission from Moser — he disagreed — and had planned to make copies of the other office keys.

Beaty also accused Moser of smoking in his police vehicle, which she said would damage police equipment. She showed a picture to those in attendance in which she said Moser could be seen smoking in his police car. Beaty noted Moser has been asked not to smoke in the town’s vehicle but has continued to do so. Moser responded, saying he has not been smoking in the car. (He later admitted that he does vape, although he didn’t clarify whether he does so in his police vehicle.)

“Well, since we’re going to bring up me, I’m going to bring up you,” said Moser, walking to the front of the room and tossing a binder with his department’s standard operating procedure on the floor.

Moser has been taking his police vehicle back to his home after work. He’s also been driving his children to and from Redkey Elementary School in his police vehicle each day, which has stirred some concerns from council members regarding insurance in the case of an accident.

He argued that having his police vehicle at his home allows him to respond significantly faster to calls while off duty. He also read aloud town policy, which states: “Redkey Police Department Officers shall not conduct Civilian ride-alongs while on or off duty; Redkey Police Department Officers shall not permit Civilian ride-alongs while on or off duty; Redkey Police Department Officers may allow Civilians ride-along in their Patrol Vehicle: When providing short distance transportation from one point to another.”

Moser said he lives 5 miles outside of Redkey, arguing that should be classified as short distance transportation.

He also pointed to emails from a representative of the town’s insurance, which say: “There is nothing that excludes others (from coverage) for riding in the city vehicles. However, there are a few key points that needs to be addressed regarding others riding in city vehicles: 1. The carrier expects that all municipalities follow their SOP’s and handbooks … (and) It could lower your limits of liability that is available to the town if involved in an accident.”

Beaty said in the executive session that town attorney John Brooke recommended Moser write up new policies to “have them changed.”

“I don’t need to change that part, I am following policy,” he responded, accusing Beaty of targeting him.

“Did you follow policy by talking to the girls like that? Did you follow policy by smoking in the car?” retorted Beaty.

After more discussion, Beaty asked council members for their decision regarding Moser’s actions.

“Watermellon” Jim Phillips made a motion to relieve Moser of his duties.

Resident and firefighter Mark Leavell then spoke up, referencing a past council meeting.

“Keep in mind, you guys are complaining about his attitude and his language, I sat in this very room and watched you guys up here scream and holler for 30 minutes,” he said. “So, whatever’s good for one, has to be good for the other.”

Chaos quickly ensued, with those in the crowd and council talking at the same time. After more discussion, Beaty asked other council members what they would like to do regarding Moser. They did not second Phillips’ motion, and the motion died.

In other business, council discussed concerns about Miller Pipeline’s installation of new gas lines in town.  

Utility worker Ted Kolodka explained one of the company’s crews in town is installing gas lines on top of wastewater lines and next to water mains. He pointed out this will cause issues with repairs and replacement in the future, suggesting council require the new gas lines to be at least 2 feet away from utility lines.

He and Beaty mentioned other concerns, including:

•Tossing dirt and trash into the town’s dump, with Kolodka suggesting a $75 dumping fee

•Damage to the streets, with Beaty suggesting requiring the company resurface streets that have three or more cuts

Beaty shared hopes for council to meet with Miller Pipeline representatives soon to discuss their concerns.

Council members also agreed to move forward with amending the town’s animal ordinance.

Council member Gavin Grady — he has approached council multiple teams in years past asking for chickens to be allowed in town — asked council to amend one word in the ordinance, making it so ordinance states that residents may not keep roosters on their property. He said he believed that would allow residents to keep hens.

Beaty said the town needs to have rules laid out for residents if they are allowed to have chickens. Moser suggested tacking specifics onto the existing animal ordinance.

Beaty suggested tabling the matter until the next meeting. Council then agreed to move forward with the amendment, which Grady agreed to prepare for the next meeting.

In other business, council members Dave Dudelston, Floyd Life, Grady, Phillips and Beaty:

•Approved the following: repairing a sensor in a gas detector at Redkey’s wastewater plant for $3,651 from Toric; paying $299,284.57 in claims.

•Tabled discussion about who should install water and wastewater taps in town.  (Currently, the town is contracted with Bill Tressler Backhoe & Trenching for excavation and sewer services.) Local contractor Spencer Caldwell asked council to consider allowing residents to decide who installs their taps.

•Heard a request from John Watson to use the shed he’s installing at his property, 103 E. High St., as a living space. He received approval at council’s meeting in July to install the shed. Beaty asked him to return for the next council meeting when the town’s attorney should be present.

•Spoke with Bill Walters of East Central Indiana Regional Planning District, who shared information about how his organization works within the region. Walters noted the planning district recently secured regional planning grant Safer Streets for All, which will help identify safety concerns within the east central Indiana region. The planning process will help in applying for funding for related construction projects in the coming years, he explained.

•Heard from Kolodka the Global Information System for the town was installed Aug. 8. He noted ongoing work and future plans to implement data into the system.

•Learned Watson Excavating donated $5,000 for new boots for Redkey Fire Department firefighters.

•Heard from former town marshal Todd Miller, who addressed a woman’s remarks made at the July meeting about his past work performance responding to domestic violence incidents. He noted certain requirements must be met in order to file charges for a crime.