Water debt relief possibility for Fillmore

FILLMORE — With high water rates being a consistent concern for Fillmore residents, the town could see a substantial, if not complete, relief of its water debts.

The Fillmore Town Council approved for Town Attorney Jeff Boggess to submit an application for funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. The county is set to receive $7 million in funds devoted to COVID-19 relief.

An advisory board, made up of Putnam County Commissioners Rick Woodall and Tom Helmer and Putnam County Council members Dave Fuhrman, Stephanie Campbell and Jay Alcorn, will met Wednesday to consider proposals on how the funds will be allotted.

Boggess said the town has about $900,000 in debt for water and wastewater. To show good faith on the part of the town, the council was amenable to contributing 10 percent of a final grant should the request be accepted.

In other business:

• The council adopted the town’s budget for 2022. Taken all together, the estimated civil maximum levy will stand at $55,376 with the property tax cap credit at $1,720. The town’s total budget is set at $182,987.

• The council approved Resolution 2021-4 declaring Liberty Trailers as an economic redevelopment area (ERA). Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center Executive Director Kristin Clary said that though it was previously made an ERA, this was a formality before requesting a new tax abatement.

This new abatement will be presented to the council in a public hearing next month. Clary stated that Liberty was planning to expand its capital investments, as well as add five new employees.

• The council held its second reading and approval of Ordinance 2021-3. This outlines exemptions for no or reduced water/wastewater billing. These pertain to “snowbirds,” vacant properties, residents who are temporarily absent or doing repairs up to 90 days and businesses with seasonal closures.

• The council held its first reading of Ordinance 2021-4, which outlines recertifying three voting wards within the town limits. This would be a change from 2019 in which voting was previously for at-large candidates. The ordinance is set to be adopted next month.

In comments to the council, resident Charles Martin claimed that he had witnessed drug trafficking activity within the town. He also referenced speeders in the town, a problem that is not new.

The overarching issue was whether Town Marshal Darrel Bunten was able to cover the town on his own without deputy officers. Martin suggested that Bunten might have “too many irons in the fire” also working full time for the Greencastle Police Department.

Boggess cautioned that the council cannot publicly discuss Bunten’s job performance. However, Council President Meredith Trusty provided that new deputies could be found by next spring.

Bunten was not present, while Penny Nelson, who assists at the town office, stepped in for Clerk-Treasurer Jayna Haldeman. Meanwhile, council members C.J. Huller and Jerry Huff joined Trusty, Boggess and Utilities Operator Joe Cash.

The next regular meeting of the Fillmore Town Council is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Town Hall.