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Last updated on Tuesday, October 29, 2013
(OOLITIC) - The Oolitic Town Council approved a service contract with the Oolitic Volunteer Fire Department.
The town will pay the department $2,750 a month for fire and emergency services.
Not all the council members were happy with the 10 percent increase for 2014.
"I know we need them, but where is the stopping point?" asked Councilman Bill Kendall. "We cannot do this every year. Every year they will want an increase, but the tax rate does not go up and we can't keep this up. I don't know what the answer is but we need to think about that down the road."
In other business:
*The council hopes the town can secure a $1 million grant that will allow officials to address storm water problems.
A representative from Southern Indiana Development Commission told the council competition for the grant will be very competitive.
But before the town can apply for the grant, they will have to do an income survey.
The town is also looking at securing a brown field grant to help with the demolition of the old high school. If awarded the town could possibly use the funds to purchase the old high school, demolish the building and create a green space for the town.
"Something will have to be done," says Clerk Treasurer Jim Staley. "The building is in such disrepair and is becoming a safety issue."
* The Oolitic Haunted School grossed $4,834 during their four nights of spooking visitors.
Festival Committee President Glenn Gross says there are still some expenses to pay for but overall the event was a huge success.
The committee thanked all the volunteers and sponsors for their support and next year's Haunted school will be bigger and better. All of the proceeds will be used for the 2014 festival.
"We have not heard anything but good things about the Haunted School," Gross says. "And I believe we will have even more support next year. In the future, this could be the one event that funds the whole festival."
* The council passed a resolution to rename accounts for the sewer department. The renaming was a requirement by the state for the sewer construction loan.
* The council voted to allow Clerk Treasurer Jim Staley to do a bad debt adjustment. The debts were either more than six years old, the debtor had filed bankruptcy, or the person had passed and the estate did not have the funds to pay the debt.
* The council approved the hiring of Wes Tipton to the street department. Tipton is replacing an employee that was terminated.
* The town passed the 2014 salary ordinance.
* Vicky Saunders donated $1,000 to the Oolitic Festival Committee in honor of her parents, Darrell and Norma Saunders.
* Staley will be attending the State Board of Accounts Fall District meeting Wednesday in Columbus.
* Council President Delvin Nikirk told the council that the street department is ready for leaf collection and the first snow fall.
* The council was asked about the complaint of not having fencing around swimming pools. Town Attorney Greg Pittman told the council it was a building code violation. But the town does not have a local building code ordinance. But the town could have Town Marshal Jon Jefferies declare the situation a public nuisance if he felt the situation was dangerous. A citation would be issued and the resident would have 10 days to comply.
* The council was given a limestone plaque of appreciation from SIDC, who is celebrating 40 years of service.
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