Fillmore to not be part of comprehensive plan

FILLMORE — With a distrust of falling under the county’s new guidelines being suggested, Fillmore will not be part of its new comprehensive plan.

Though one member was on the fence and ultimately abstained, the two other members of the Fillmore Town Council voted to not opt into the plan at its recent regular meeting. The move eschewed being included generally, or having specific planning and zoning requirements set for the town for a cost.

Town Attorney Jeff Boggess briefed that development would be directed in a sub-area section in the plan for $8,300. He also noted that a new unified development ordinance (UDO) would mean the county overseeing controls for planning and zoning, in lieu of having a board of zoning appeals and a plan commission.

While Boggess provided that the county would seek input from the town on these issues and incur associated costs, he said there were “no guarantees” with how much sway that input would have. This was perhaps the biggest sticking point.

“I’m not interested in it one bit,” Councilman Jerry Huff said bluntly. He based his distrust on officials potentially lapsing on such determinations, as well as it “being a money thing” for the county with permits.

Huff made a motion to reject the comprehensive plan, with which Council President Meredith Trusty concurred. Councilman C.J. Huller, however, was hesitant about doing so.

“The town really needs something,” Huller said about Fillmore having requirements, to which Huff responded that its ordinances need to be enforced. Boggess iterated that Fillmore has none with regard to development.

With Huller’s abstention, Huff’s motion was passed.

In other business:

• It was agreed for Fillmore’s annual cleanup day to be held on Saturday, June 3.

• After hearing the proposal from Kimberly Holt, Sheila Holloway and Gina Ames of the Putnam County Recovery Coalition, the board approved for a NaloxBox to be installed. The box holds naloxone spray, which can reverse effects in an opioid overdose emergency.

It was agreed that the box could be put outside of the town hall, though with acknowledging a risk of vandalism or persons simply taking the Narcan. It was understood that the PCRC would be responsible for maintaining the box otherwise.

• Clerk-Treasurer Andi Schardt was asked to attest to Ordinance 2021-3, which outlines water and wastewater billing exemptions for “snow birds,” vacant properties or businesses with seasonal closures. It was explained that then-Clerk-Treasurer Jayna Haldeman was absent when the ordinance was adopted, and that the document was not signed by her then.

• The council took under advisement three quotes from JAMRR Excavating for different projects in the town.

One for $12,000 would address rehabilitating manholes and infiltration, while the second was for replacing the pipe in the culvert near The Waterin’ Hole for $12,615. The third estimate was for $8,900 to reline and rebuild a culvert on Cardinal Road.

Utilities Operator Joe Cash was absent at the meeting.

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