Winamac Council hears update on SRTS; approves salary ordinances

In a related matter, Bennett also asked if the town could offer to the homeowners a reimbursement program for sidewalk replacement. Market Street sidewalks would be a main artery for replacement. Council president John Plowman directed him to find out what the grant will allow. Bawcum spoke on behalf of the Panhandle Pathway, and reported they are working on finishing the four-tenths-mile that needs paved yet to connect to the town limit. Bennett also said he had spoken with a Superior Street resident who reported she sees a lot of foot traffic on the street which is a designated school route. The Safe Routes to School committee will report back to the council as projects progress.

Following discussion, the council approved 2013 calendar-year salary, wage and benefit ordinances (as applicable) for the town manager, town officers and employees, clerical personnel, the Winamac police and crossing guard, the town mechanic, and the seasonal assistant park manager.

Councilman Richard Denney opposed the salary ordinances, stating that the federal government gave a 1.7 percent standard of living increase, and he did not agree with the 50-cent hourly raise. But the council voted 4-1 to approve the compensation packages, as presented.

In other business, police chief Mike Buchanan reported to the council that he made a presentation to the elementary school and to the school board regarding Veteran's Day. He read the presentation to the council. Buchanan asked officer Mark Hoffman to talk about the Operation Pull-Over plaque. The Winamac Police Department received the Best in State Police Department and $2,500 equipment grant, with which the department will purchase a computer for the police car. The award is from November 2011 to November 2012.

Water and street superintendent Kevin Roe presented quotes for a salt spreader. He also informed the council that the trucks are ready for the snow. The department is still picking up leaves and hopes to be done by he end of the month. The wells at the water plant have been checked and the pump is fixed, and fire hydrant is being checked. He reported one employee on the garbage department will be off work for medical reasons until January, and one of the street department men is working for him. But he will also help in the street department, if needed.

Doug Shorter of the electric department reported that the department cleared lines at Pine's Apartments, replaced 4-5 poles from the wind damage, put in a new pad mount for Tom Bonnell, and cut trees at the park. He also asked about advertising for a new lineman.

Town Park manager Rick Dilts reported that the new mower has arrived. He has about one more week of leaf chopping. The trailer and hitch are working well. A total of 110 tables have been placed in storage and 10 are still out. The bleachers have been stored, the restrooms have been closed, the dead trees have been removed with the help of the electric department, with two more trees to go. The volleyball and basketball courts will be winterized this week, and the tractor will be set up for the snow soon. Dilts also thanked the Winamac Police Department for patrolling as often as they do in the park.

Wastewater superintendent Brad Zellers reported that his department has cleaned and run video on 2,800 feet of line by West Street. He would like to have the cured in place, and pipe lining installed in this section next year due to pipe being in bad shape. The council will address this next spring. He has installed seven new catch basins to help with sewer separation. The new blower pipe at the treatment plant has been hooked up. The flow meters at the treatment plant have had their yearly calibration per IDEM. There have been no issues with the new Star City system.

Fire chief Bill Weaver reported to the council that he has five new applicants to the Winamac Fire Department. One is fully trained, except for training at the station with the trucks. The other four will need training. Currently, the department has 12 members which is down from its usual 23-24 members. Next year, Weaver would like to see an additional 4 - 5 members. The council voted to approve the new hires of Jake Dommer, Tyler Campbell, Aaron Spanley, Matt Zellers and Dan Thompson to the Winamac Fire Department.

Town manager James Conner reported on the following items:

Presented the council with Ordinance No. 13 of 2012, an ordinance to regulate the opening of fire hydrants owned by the Winamac Municipal Waterworks Utility. The council voted approval.
Informed the council that there would be a meeting in December with the Umbaugh consultants regarding the water project.
Provided an update on the Plymouth Tube payment showing the final payment will be January 2014.
Provided an inventory of items that need to be ADA compliant - completed by June 2013. Councilman Dan Vanaman asked about the YMCA being compliant, and Conner will look into this. Denney asked about the airport, and Conner will look into this also.
Will advertise an open meeting for Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. for ADA/Section 504 compliance.
Applied for a grant through Indiana Office of Energy Development for new lighting at the wastewater plant.
Applied for a grant through Indiana Brownfield for the old railroad corridor.

Under discussion items, councilman Tom Murray informed the council that he has checked with S & S Precast for cement parking markers in the YMCA parking lot. They will cost $20 each. Murray will work on the details for delivery.

Clerk-Treasurer, Melanie Berger, presented the contract for fire protection with Tippecanoe Township. The council voted to execute the contract.

Special note: Council president John Plowman opened the November meeting by asking for a moment of silence in remembrance of town employee Jeff Shidler who recently passed away.