Redkey council mulls COVID policy

REDKEY –– A COVID-19 policy for town employees is on the table.

Redkey Town Council discussed implementing a new policy Thursday.

The discussion followed news of Redkey Town Hall being closed through Nov. 1 following an employee’s positive coronavirus test. Clerk-treasurer Mary Eley told council she tested negative but decided to close the facility through the end of the month.

“Has our town ever thought about making a COVID policy?” someone in the crowd asked.

Currently, there is no coronavirus-related sick leave policy in place. Council members said they were not sure how to proceed, such as suggesting a specific number of days.

Council member Gary Gardner said he thought all town employees were vaccinated, and both Eley and council member Dottie Quakenbush said they did not know that. Gardner also suggested coronavirus sick pay should only be available to vaccinated employees.

Hammers noted the town cannot mandate the vaccine. He did, however, advocate for it, noting he’s been vaccinated and hopes to have his son receive the vaccination as soon as he’s old enough.

“I believe in COVID, 100%, it is real,” Hammers said.

“It has killed people I know, and last year, more policemen died from COVID than died from anything else. It is serious. That vaccine is just as important as your bulletproof vest.”

May agreed, noting that he spent six days in the hospital after contracting COVID-19.

“And it’s free,” Quakenbush added about the vaccine.

Hammers said the town should review state protocol regarding coronavirus-related sick pay in order to make the decision. Quakenbush also suggested reviewing surrounding municipality policies. No decision was made on the matter Thursday.

Eley noted that although the town hall is closed, residents can pay their water bills by using the drop box at the back of the building or by paying over the phone or online.

Portland City Council amended its COVID-19 policy Oct. 5, paying employees who must miss work because of the virus to be paid for up to five days. (It also agreed to give employees who have received the vaccine a $300 gift card.)

Also Thursday, Redkey council members approved the town’s 2022 budget on a final reading.

The coming year’s budget of more than $611,000 includes a 1.5% wage increase for town employees, which clerk deputy Pam Collett estimated in September would cost an additional $3,500 to $3,700.

Also Thursday, council decided not to grant a water bill adjustment on a more than $600 water bill at Redkey Baptist Church after a nearly 30 minute discussion. Town employee Randy Young noted he has not been able to find a leak on the property.

Gardner suggested council change the water ordinance for situations such as the church water bill. May agreed, and Hammers said he wouldn’t be opposed to a change but would like to see it in writing.

In other news, council members Quakenbush, Hammers, May and Gardner:

•Learned Redkey will celebrate Halloween Oct. 30, with the parade line-up beginning at 5:15 p.m. and judging to follow. Trick-or-treating hours are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m.

•OK’d fixing the town hall roof following storm damage. Hochadel Roofing Inc. is doing the repairs for $16,750, with the town’s insurance covering the bulk and Redkey contributing the deductible amount of $1,000. (May was the only dissenting vote, saying he did not want to put money into the rental space.)

•Agreed to put a new water pit in for Ted Champ at his 8896 W. Indiana 67 property to avoid potential complications with repairs to his current one located across the street. Young estimated the process will cost roughly less than $500.

•Made a water bill adjustment of $331.

•Paid $122,871.61 in claims.