Cloverdale council closes out the year with NYE meeting

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council met for its final meeting of the year on Tuesday evening in order to wrap up some final items as well as to honor some well deserving people.

The development of the Old Morrison property has been a topic of discussion for the council over the past few months. Once again, the topic was touched on as council members agreed meet, following a recommendation from Town Attorney Alan Yackey, with Jim Coffenberry of West Central in the next coming weeks.

"He seems to have a pretty good idea of all kinds of things that would be helpful to develop both sides of the interstate," Yackey explained. "He thinks he can be helpful."

Yackey also noted that Coffenberry has worked in Putnam County before and believes that he may have some useful input as the town attempts to move forward.

Council President Don Sublett along with council member Coweta Patton advised that they would be able to meet with him to discuss potential options for land development. In the event that one of them were unable to attend, council member Gary Bennington volunteered to attend the meeting.

Clerk-treasurer Cheryl Galloway also gave a brief updated on the status of the Storm Water Board, which will have its first public meeting to discuss the upcoming grant in February.

"If we want to have this grant, we have to have a board," Galloway said. "We've got to get three people on this board as soon as possible."

Council members Dennis Padgett along with Bennington volunteered to join the board, however one more member of the public is needed to proceed.

In order to obtain the grant, the town must have its application submitted in March with an April closing.

The council also approved two resolutions 2013-14 and 2013-15 to transfer money between funds.

Resolution 2013-14 was for a total of $56,000 from the general fund to the rainy day fund, while resolution 2013-15 was for $100,000 from the wastewater fund to the general fund.

The council also introduced a new Fair Housing Ordinance 2013-13, which must be done every time a grant is obtained. The council will likely pass this ordinance during its upcoming monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.

In an effort to end the year on a high note, the council honored former Utility Manager Richard Saucerman as its first-ever employee of the year.

"In 2013, along with many small towns in Indiana, presented economic challenges," Sublett said. "This past year, our utility manager Richard Saucerman was performing two jobs and helping keep costs under control. I am pleased to present Richard with the Employee of the Year award."

In other business:

* Also discussed was the bids for a new fire truck for the Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department. The council chose to accept the lowest bid, which came Mid-America Fire Safety for $229,997.

* The council approved was the 2014 IACT dues for $1,410.

* Also approved was the 1782 Notice Notes Report, which must be reported to the Department of Local Government Finance. The notice itself is the formal approval of the town's budget.

* The council approved an updated version of its nepotism policy.

* Sublett also presented former Redevelopment Commission President Don Gedert with several awards to give to the former members as a thank you for their time and effort.