Council disagrees on fire claim

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

CLOVERDALE -- Tensions flared over a bill at a Cloverdale Town Council special session.

Following approving the first of three meeting agendas on Thursday, town clerk/treasurer Patti Truax read a claim for Dec. 27 in the amount of $179,117.63. Some of the claim, however, was disputed by council member Glenn Vickroy.

Vickroy asked Truax why the Cloverdale Town Fire Dept. had a bill of $4,518 on the claim form. Truax and council member Judy Whitaker said it was for maintenance of one of its fire trucks.

After a discussion on why the fire department needed repairs needed for the truck, Whitaker made a motion to accept the claims.

Vickroy then asked to see the bill as the tension heated up.

"It would probably be best if you came prepared for these meetings," council member John Davis said.

Following a pause, Davis said, "Do you want me to repeat it?"

"No, that's OK," council vice president Dennis Padgett said.

Padgett then made the second for the claims and the board voted 4-1, with Vickroy voting no.

"You're voting against the claims," Whitaker asked Vickroy.

"I'm voting against this," Vickroy said, pointing to the number on the claim sheet.

Meanwhile, the board voted 4-1 in favor of setting aside riverboat monies in order to utilize the funds to purchase new radios for the town fire department.

At its regular December meeting, the board approved a measure for the town fire department to seek a release from its lease on pagers. The lease is owned by an out-of-state bank.

On Thursday, Truax asked the board what they wanted to do with the riverboat monies, something towns receive on an annual basis. She said the town received close to $12,000 in riverboat monies and requested a motion to use the money.

Whitaker made her motion with Davis giving the second. The board voted 4-1, with Vickroy voting no.

"May I ask why," Whitaker asked.

Vickroy said he voted no because of a fire study being conducted by a group of town citizens and he wanted to see the final results. Vickroy sits on the fire study committee.

"I want to see the study," Vickroy said.

"You want us to use failing equipment," Whitaker asked.

"I'm just telling you how I'm going to vote," Vickroy said.

In other business, the board:

  • Approved continuing to store computer tapes at First National Bank. Truax approached the board saying there was an offer on the table for the tapes to be stored at a different location, but for $200 more.

    Padgett motioned to keep storing the tapes at the bank, saying it was in the best interest of the town.

    The board meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month. Its next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Jan. 9.

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