TOWN OF HUDSON

115 PARSONAGE STREET

HUDSON, IN  46747

(260) 587-9500

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

April 24, 2009

 

CALL TO ORDER:  President Brian Hayes called the Town Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Brian Hayes _X_ Kathy Kope _ X_ Steve Smith    Atta “Tatsy” Hayes, Clerk-Treasurer X        Ward Odom, Town Manager _X _

 

Attendees: Brenda Mast, Andy Mast, Sarah Odom, Randy Depew, Bill Ebert, and Gary Kope

.

MINUTES:  Motion made by Brian Hayes, second by Kathy Kope to approve the February 27, 2009 and April 3, 2009 minutes.   Motion carried. 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT:  Chief Bill Ebert told the board that the department is compliant with the state on the NIFRS reporting requirements.  Both the Chief and Town Manager went to the FDIC conference on Thursday, April 23rd in Indianapolis to look at trucks and get ideas for a new Rapid Response Vehicle.  This will provide a basis for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants that are now open.  The grant request will be for a vehicle, which will replace the grass rig and fire rescue, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, both new and updates, and turn out gear.   The street dance went fairly well even though most of the department had to respond for a house fire in Angola.  The garden tractor pull event in June is cancelled.  However June 20th is still scheduled for the Chicken BBQ at McKee’s Corner.  The spring tack auction is also cancelled due to being unable to make arrangements with the vendor.  From March 22-April 19, a total of 12 runs were made: 4 Mutual Aid fires; 1 fire alarm; 3 stand-by for other departments; 3 calls for service (a carbon monoxide check call, a basement pump, and 1 traffic assist for the Little League Bike-A-Thon); and one medical assist.  The HVFD now has full medical equipment on our Engine with the exception of a defibrillator.  This will allow the department to respond to multiple medical runs if this would occur.

 

MARSHAL:  Eleven warnings, three citations, nine incident reports, and one arrest were made during April.  From April 24 to May 8 begins the Rural Demonstration Project which is targeted at seat belt use in rural areas.  May 15th to May 31 marks the beginning of Operation Pull Over Blitz 59, Seat Belts-Click it or ticket. It should be noted that this past year showed a decrease in the number of deaths in automobile accidents with the wearing of seat belts.  The application for stimulus funding of a full time officer has been completed.  The annual training requirements have been extended by the state to 24 hours per year from 16 hours.  

 

UTILITY DEPARTMENT:  No report with Ed Miller being on vacation.

 

CLERK‘S REPORT:  The Ashley-Hudson Town Wide Yard sales is scheduled for May 2nd and Clean up May 9th.  The Hudson Ball League begins play on April 3oth at Hardy Park.  The clerk-treasurer will attend the IACT Budget and Clerk-Treasurer School on May 6-7 in Indianapolis.  She will also attend the Annual Conference and State Board of Accounts in French Lick on June 15-June 18.  Red Cross classes on care providing will be on Tuesday, May 12 (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.) and Thursday, May 14 (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) in the Town Hall.  Linda Lepley has requested that an exchange library be established at the Town Hall.  More information is needed to bring this to fruition.  The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2009.

 

TOWN MANAGER:  Thirteen purchase orders were issued in March (February 16 to March 22) for $5,567.74 and 4 purchase orders in April (March 23 to April 19) for $491.07, which is a total of 26 purchase orders for $10,909.06 to date.  In March 2009, 5,330 visitors looked at 9,903 pages on the Hudson web site, a 139% increase in visits and a 154% increase in pages from a year ago.  Ammonia through the end of March averaged 36.1/mgl on 4,033,600 gallons of total flow.  The U.S. Census Bureau has requested that a local liaison be appointed for coordination with the Bureau for the 2010 census.  The town manager volunteered to do this.  The 1996 Dakota pick-up truck needs some major repairs of approximately $650.00.  The current value is $3,465.  The primary use is the fire department.  The council agreed to the repair.  Two quotes have been received from McKee’s on “60/61” mowers.  Both include trade of the current mower ($1,500), (1) Scag with 35 hp Briggs and Stratton is $9,000.00 (2) EverRide with 25 hp Kawasake is $7,000.00.  The council felt that the Scag would be the more economical purchase.  A Fire Territory information session will be held April 3oth at 6:00 p.m. at the Noble County Public Library in Albion.  Both the Fire Chief and Town Manager will attend.  There has been a request for stump grinding of the trees removed last year.  The council told the town manager to obtain quotes and get the grinding done.  The Planning Commission will meet April 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall.  No information on any of the project proposals under the Economic Stimulus Bill has been received.  Those approved center around utility improvements. The Clerk-Treasurer and Town Manager attended an IACT regional update in Columbia City April 22nd on legislative bills still pending.  There was also a briefing on a health trust through IACT.  More information on both will be provided.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Charles Goodwin told the board that he is ready to begin work on his Eagle Scout project in the “Quiet Park”.  The council requested the Town Manager serve as a liaison with him and the council.

 

NEW BUSINESS:  President Brian Hayes asked about stimulus money for the Fire Hall.  The Town Manager said it appears doubtful and that the town will have to seek their own funding.  The Town Manager also felt it was time for an update in the financial status of the water utility.

 

CLAIMS:  Claims were approved and signed.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Motion made by Brian Hayes, seconded by Kathy Kope to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Atta “Tatsy” Hayes

Clerk-Treasurer

 

Approved:

 

 

 

Brian Hayes

President, Hudson Town Council

 

Town Council Minutes

 

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