New backhoe on the way

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

CLOVERDALE -- Don Guthrie, utility manager, was given the green light from town council members Tuesday to purchase a CAT backhoe at slightly more than $76,000.

The piece of equipment will be purchased with a five-year loan at 4-percent interest.

The new backhoe will replace a 21-year-old model, which will be traded in at a value of more than $8,000.

Council gave Don Gedert with the Redevelopment Commission consent to reappoint most of the previous redevelopment members.

The commission will consist of Gedert, Jerry Acrea, Charlie Shank, Hobe Nickerson and new member Dewey Garrett.

Garrett replaced Trent Argue due to the traveling schedule of Argue, said Gedert.

Stardust Road from Stardust Hills to the new arena is officially finished. The repaving was finished last month, but the stone shoulders have now been completed.

It was all done with no cost to the taxpayers of Cloverdale or Putnam County, Gedert noted.

Last month, council members agreed to waive the building permit fee of $442.80 for new construction at the fire department. It was brought to their attention that the fee includes the building inspector's fee of $332.10, which must be paid.

Following some discussion, they agreed to waive only the town's portion of the fee -- 25 percent -- and pay the inspector's fee.

A $60 bill from John Davis for some previous computer work at the Town Hall was also discussed among council members.

It is the council's position Davis was not authorized to do the work and therefore they refuse to pay the submitted bill. Council members have chosen to send Davis a letter signed by the council and their attorney stating that fact.

Other approvals included a 2.5 percent increase in town employee's salaries; combine dormant funds of more than $4,000 and transfer it to the general fund; amending the holiday schedule for town employees to Dec. 25-26 for Christmas and Jan. 1-2 for New Years; and renewing Kim Wright's cleaning contract for a third year.

An audience member and Cloverdale resident approached the council regarding his water and sewage bill.

Chad Kelly told members his bill nearly doubled from $47 per month to $87 this last month. He had the meter checked and no leaks were found.

Council member Terry Puffer told Kelly the bill increase would be looked into by Patti Truax, clerk-treasurer, due to no rate changes recently.

In other news, town council members agreed to a joint meeting with park board at 9 a.m. Jan. 24 at Town Hall.

The park has been decorated for the holidays. There are Christmas displays and lights for residents to enjoy.

Wireless Internet has been installed at the park. Service is available at the shelter house near the cabin. It is free for the public to use.

The final town council meeting for 2008 will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at Town Hall.

Comments
View 4 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • $60? Prediction; The town of Cloverdale is going to spend a minimum of $300 to keep from paying this tiny bill.

    Now this is going to be big news for the Banner, employ a couple of attorneys, and bring in some court fees.

    I would gladly raise the $60 myself and GIVE it to the town if they would pay this bill so we don't have to live out this childish drama.

    Anyone else reading this wish to donate a buck or two, or is it entertaining enough to let the show go on?

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Wed, Dec 10, 2008, at 6:24 AM
  • This hasn't been paid yet, I remember reading about this months ago! Let's see, Mr. Yackey is going to collect a fee for drafting a letter and allowing the council to sign it, then he will get a fee for advising the council before it goes to small claims, then he may collect a fee for an appeal after the fact? S W E E T ! Now, if Mr Davis files for three times the amount of the bill and other punitive damages claiming the fact that the council was aware it was a legitimate bill and refused to pay? This could run the cost up quite a bit more yet if proven.

    Under normal circumstances cities and towns have a structure that would easily prove the council's claim is inaccurate to say the least, and if proven Mr. Yackey wins, Mr. Davis wins, and the town and town's people loses because money was spent over what appears to stem from something more than just a sixty dollar bill. The council may want to learn the difference between ignorance and stupidity along with the meaning and boundary of scope of authority.

    -- Posted by sadNmad on Wed, Dec 10, 2008, at 11:35 AM
  • woohoo wireless internet at the park!! awww shucks, parks closed for the winter. an its not free....you have to have endeavor login id to get on it...

    -- Posted by justmoveonwillya on Thu, Dec 11, 2008, at 2:33 AM
  • OK, I'm stumped on this one... what is the wireless network for at the park?

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Thu, Dec 11, 2008, at 9:36 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: