New utility fees on hold at Fillmore

Saturday, February 4, 2012

FILLMORE -- Changes to Fillmore's utility policies will be on hold for at least one more month.

At its January meeting, the Fillmore Town Council tentatively approved several changes to the town's utility billing policies. The issue was back before the board as an official ordinance at the Thursday, Feb. 2 meeting, but some technical issues prevented passage of the measure.

The changes chiefly involve two areas. The first gives the town the ability to pursue utility payments from landlords once all avenues of obtaining the money from renters has been exhausted.

The second group of changes is in the rate for new water and wastewater hookups. Under the proposed system, new water service would cost $1,000 on the same side of the street as the water line and $1,500 for the opposite side.

New sewer hookups will remain at $1,000.

The problem with the draft of the ordinance lies in the section about new hookups. Town Attorney Mary Russell had written a new draft following the January meeting, but the rates were not in line with discussions from the meeting.

The issue will be back before the council in March with the necessary changes made.

Although Town Marshal Darrel Bunten was absent from the meeting for required training, the council honored his wishes from the January meeting, approving the first reading of an ordinance allowing the town more reserve deputies.

The old ordinance only allows for two such volunteer positions. The new ordinance does not set a specific limit.

Among the 20 bids received for the town's 1998 Dodge Ram utility truck, one bested all others by $2,500. Greg Arnold of Fillmore bid $8,255 for the truck. The town received bids as low as $2,000, and no other bids exceeded $6,000.

Council members Alan Jones and Curt Leonard voted to use the money on the town's new truck.

Leonard suggested that part of the money be used to weatherize the underside of the truck to protect it from the salt it carries in the winter. The remainder of the money will be applied to the loan for the truck.

A possible extension of People Pathways to the east of Fillmore was also discussed. Leonard emphasized to residents that any money spent on the trail does not come out of the town's budget.

"They're just trying to bring it through and make Fillmore look a little nicer," Leonard said.

He continued that he has walked on the Greencastle-Fillmore Pathway with his wife and what a nice asset the trail can be.

"The other end looks nicer," he said. "This end -- people like to throw their trash and tree limbs on it and it needs to stop.

"This is something that the town needs to embrace."

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  • I couldnt agree with Curt more on the pathway. It is an asset and needs to be preserved. I also must mention keeping 4 wheeler off the trail. I was walking it one day and 4 wheeler nearly took me out, this is unnecessary as the old railroad runs just beside it and the 4 wheelers should stay on it.

    -- Posted by dcsaiht on Sat, Feb 4, 2012, at 11:37 AM
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