In related business, Shorter discussed the need for a new transformer at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. The town's electric department will coordinate with the hospital on the best time to complete the project. The cost of the project is estimated at $10,980 for the transformer and $12,500 for labor. Shorter said the project is a "definite necessity" for safety, not only for the hospital, but for the electric department staff.

In other business, wastewater superintendent Brad Zellers reported he has been repairing several small pumps and will start on building improvements in the remaining portion of the pole building this winter. Zellers was asked if the absence of grass clippings in the streets has made a difference. He responded that he would be able to tell more in the spring when they evacuate the lines, but it appears less water is standing in the streets than before.

The pre-construction meeting and signing of the contracts for the CSO/LTCP Phase III water project has been scheduled.

Park manager Don Thompson reported he has been dealing with snow removal. He has cut down two trees ruined by beavers. Three of the animals have been relocated. Thompson has closed the back part of the park due to vehicle damage. The gate at the artesian well entrance has also been closed.

Phil Pieri of Nordic Energy appeared before the council to share information on how his company can save money on its natural gas bills. He cited many firms that have switched to Nordic. The council took the information under advisement and directed town manager Jim Conner to check into it.

The council approved a request from clerk/treasurer Judy Heater to spend a portion of business funds on the annual awards dinner and the 2011 Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce dues.

In a 3-1 vote with one abstaining, the council approved ordinances setting salaries for town employees for 2011. Voting in favor of the motion were councilmen John Plowman, James DeArmond and Tom J. Murray. Opposing it was John Behny. Rod Button abstained. The council discussed at length whether an elected official who is also a town employee has a duty to vote on any matter brought before the council.

The council learned the town has received a $5,456 grant from the Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District for the purchase of recycled-content picnic tables. The grant requires a 25 percent local match.

The town's water department has received a Water Fluoridation Quality Award for 2009 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The town has received the fall draw, in the amount of $14,906, from the park gift fund from the Pulaski County Community Foundation. The gift fund was set up through the generosity of several Winamac families.

The council was told that the electric tracking factor for the first quarter of 2011 will reflect an increase of approximately $1.91 per month. The council voted to pass the increase on to customers. It was noted that decreases last year were also passed along to customers.

The council was informed that each year the Indiana Municipal Power Association (IMPA) prepares a comparison of typical-sized residential, commercial and industrial bills as of July for their members and Indiana's investor-owned electric utilities. This shows the average residential bill for IMPA members is 9.3 percent lower than the Investor-Owned Utility's (IOU) average. Small commercial is 11 percent lower and large commercial is 2 percent lower than IOU bills.