Demolition of buildings delayed

Council members reviewed demolition procedures used by the City of Greencastle to use as a template for its town. Town attorney Alan Yackey agreed to revise the procedures to meet Cloverdale's needs and the council will vote on it at its November meeting.

In September, the Cloverdale Town Council thought it was prepared to accept demolition bids for three properties -- 203 S. Lafayette St., 4 S. Lafayette St., and 270 Downboy Way. However, guidelines need to be put in place before bids can be accepted.

Following final passage of the guidelines at the council's November meeting, demolition can continue to move forward. Council member Terry Puffer noted the urgency of getting the situation resolved. The unstable condition of the structures is a big issue.

In other business:

* Ordinance No. 2009-10, which will change and correct the election of town council members, was passed unanimously. The council is currently on a four-year, one-year schedule, which is not permitted by state law. To get back to the required three-year, two-year schedule, one member will run for a three-year term in 2011.

* Ordinance 2009-11, which is a step in creating a town court, was passed unanimously. An ordinance had to be created before an election year to form a town court.

* Clerk-treasurer Patti Truax presented three quotes for a new copy machine. Prices ranged from $5,200 to $6,000. Council member Kathy Tipton suggested the town look into purchasing printer/fax/scanner combo machines "to save the taxpayers some money."

Truax said the current copier, which is nearly 10 years old, constantly needs repaired. The purchase of a copier was tabled until the November meeting.

* The 2010 budget, at a total of $772,521, was approved by the council.

* Trick-or-treating has been set from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.