Roachdale approves improvement plan

ROACHDALE -- Roachdale's first meeting of 2011 proved to be very eventful, with several items passing and many future issues discussed.

The biggest order of business was an executive order. The order, which later passed by a 3-0 vote, approved a plan that would be sent to the state regarding the usage of the town's economic development income tax (EDIT). According to a stipulation with the EDIT funds, if the town does not use the income on a capital improvement plan, it will not receive the funding.

The plan allows the town to use the revenues to improve the condition of the roads, alleys, sidewalks, parks and other maintenance projects. What the council members would prefer to do, however, is have the financial backing to begin and complete the water project.

"We're going to have to put in a new system sometime," said board ember Jackie R. Jones. "We got to get rid of that water on Washington St."

One of the proposed projects at the meeting also involved creating a storm water draining system for Washington St. that would drain into a sewer several blocks away, keeping water off the town's main downtown street. Though the city will try to apply for grants to help assist the project financially, the EDIT profits will not be able to pay for all of it.

"I see what you're going for, but we are going to have to find out how much it costs," said William Long, board president.

The town would also need legal easements of certain properties along Washington St., Indiana St. and Walnut St. This would allow the town to perform the necessary improvements and construction without possessing the property, and many grants require that the properties proposed for improvement have easements.

"If it's not for this thing, it needs to be done," said Jim Ensley, town attorney. "The people that hold the purse want this."

The town also read through a new ordinance that would apply a utility reconnect fee for customers disconnected due to nonpayment. The fee for gas and water service would be $25 if the request were made during regular business hours and $50 after regular business hours.

The town also discussed how to handle the impending retirement of Bill Hubble, head of sewer and maintenance. The town is considering hiring someone part time to train them before Hubble's estimated retirement near the end of May.

The board will hold an executive session to look over possible applicants Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

The town council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the town hall.