Jones honored for 8 years on Fillmore Council

Friday, December 4, 2015
Outgoing Fillmore Town Councilman Alan Jones examines a pocket watch given to him honoring his years of service to the town.

FILLMORE -- Eight years is a long time to serve on the town council.

But for outgoing Fillmore Town Council President Alan Jones, it's been a drop in the bucket for serving the small Marion Township town he calls home.

Affectionately known as "The Mayor" by some, Jones had been volunteering in the town for years before he was elected to the council in 2007, and he plans to do the same now that he's retired.

So on Thursday, in his final meeting as a councilman, Jones was honored by his fellow outgoing councilman Meridith Trusty for his years of service. Trusty, whose term on the council was just one year to fulfill a term, presented a pocket watch to Jones on behalf of the town and his friends.

"I thank you, but it's not necessary," Jones said. "I enjoy doing it."

Enjoy it he does, and there is little doubt that Jones, Trusty and their fellow gang of volunteers will continue to patch roads, build sheds or fences and do pretty much anything else they can to help the town.

Moving on to the regular business of the December meeting, town leaders are still dealing with the succession to new leadership in 2016.

Foremost on Thursday was Clerk-treasurer Tom Gilson officially declining his election to the Council Ward 2 seat so that he can continue in his current role.

Gilson had already registered to run for council when the clerk-treasurer seat opened late in the summer. After he was selected by the council, he decided he would continue as clerk-treasurer since no one was running for that position.

It is now on Ward 1 Councilman Curt Leonard, the one member continuing into next year, and Robin Ducan, new to the Ward 3 position, to choose a new member from the second ward.

The duo is looking to have someone ready to appoint at the Jan. 7 meeting.

Much of the night's discussion centered around some utility rate issues.

Among these was the reduction of the late fee from 20 percent to 10 percent. The subject came up in November, with the council saying they would consider reducing the rate.

Although Town Attorney Mary Russell had advised Gilson the reduction was not a good idea, the council chose to move forward, approving the reduction to 10 percent by a 3-0 margin.

They did, however, add that the key to any such fee would be Gilson enforcing it, something the new clerk-treasurer has vowed to do.

Likewise, the reconnection fee of $50 will also now be enforced, unlike in the past.

One matter of contention on Thursday was Trusty's suggestion that a $300 bonus be given to former Clerk-treasurer Wanda Seidler. The bonus is for Seidler returning to help train the council and Gilson on some of the office software.

Leonard was against the idea, saying that while he liked Seidler, he thought the training should have been performed before she left her office.

The matter passed by a 2-1 vote.

Utilities Manager Joe Cash reported that salt and sand has been purchased for the winter and he is ready to begin plowing snow.

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