Fowler, Indiana Official Website

May 7, 2007

                        The Town Council of the Town of Fowler met in the Town Hall, Fowler, Indiana, on the 7th day of May 2007 at the hour of 4:15 P.M., for a PUBLIC HEARING pursuant to call in accordance with the rules of the Council. The hearing was called to order by Steve Rettig, who presided. On call of the roll the members of the Council were shown to be present or absent as follows:

PRESENT

Council Members - Patrick Claire, Nicholas Finley, Gerald Parker, Thomas Sarault

and Stephen Rettig.

Town Attorney, Pat Ryan

Sally Slavens, Building Commissioner and Health Inspector

Audience members: Len & Joanne Puetz, Amy Carpenter, Greg Silvers, John Budreau and Alan Leuck

The Public Hearing was an advertised hearing for the health and welfare of the buildings located at 406 North Washington Avenue and 102 West First Street, Fowler, Indiana. Sally Slavens received authorization from Dennis Atkinson, owner of property, to enter the buildings for inspection. Pictures of one building was taken at the time by Ms. Slavens and reviewed by the town council and attorney at the public hearing. Ms. Slavens deemed that the back building needs to be removed and the house needs to be repaired. Pat Ryan has stated that everything in Ms. Slaven's report is accurate and ok for the town council to proceed with the vote.

Nick Finley motioned to condemn the entire brick building at 102 West First Street, Fowler, Indiana. Tom Sarault seconded the motion. The motion passed.

There will be three things that need to be accomplished at this time.

1. The town's attorney will impose a civil penalty on the 102 West First Street property.
2. The town attorney will enforce the building commissioner's order

The Town Council of the Town of Fowler met in the Town Hall, Fowler, Indiana, on the 7th day of May 2007 at the hour of 4:30 P.M., for a regular meeting pursuant to call in accordance with the rules of the Council. The hearing was called to order by Steve Rettig, who presided. On call of the roll the members of the Council were shown to be present or absent as follows:

Present: Stephen Rettig, Gerald Parker, Patrick Claire, Thomas Sarault

and Nicholas Finley.

Absent: None

Nick Finley motioned to accept the minutes as reviewed and Tom Sarault seconded the motion. The motion passed.

            Town Attorney, Pat Ryan, stated that he has a judge's order to go in and make the Hession building safe. There is a need to move quickly due to the health and safety of the public. The clerk treasurer will call the town's engineer, Key Engineering Group, to have it inspected immediately. The council has also recommended that the engineer look at the Atkinson building.

            Len & Joanne Puetz were present to ask that the stop signs at Van Buren & Main Street and Madison & Main Street be removed. The elementary school has been closed and they feel there is no need for so many stop signs in the area. The Benton County Ambulance service requested the signs many years ago to help them with traffic control. The police chief and the street superintendent will survey the area and return to the next meeting with their recommendations.

            Amy Carpenter, a medical insurance broker with APEX, presented the benefits of a health reimbursement plan. The plan is the same one that Benton County has for its employees. This allows the town to put money into a fund to be held for the employee's deductible. It also allows for the town not to have to drain budgets at the beginning of the program depositing the entire deductibles allowed. The cost will be $5 per employee per month to administer the plan. The plan was favorably received by the council and will be considered for the medical year that starts October 1st of this year.

            The condition of Madison Development was discussed. There have been many complaints concerning the interior and exterior of the housing located in this area. Contact with Area IV Council on Aging will hopefully help with improving the quality of the housing.

            An economic development director position was discussed. There is a need for a part time person for the town. This issue will be tabled until another meeting.

            The Chamber of Commerce wants to hold a festival downtown Fowler the last Saturday of September, just for the day. This will be an Arts and Crafts festival with food stands and entertainment. The council gave full approval for them to proceed. Michelle Brouillette will be the Chamber chairperson for the festival.

            The Fowler Senior Citizens want to have an arts and crafts day on the sidewalk in front of the center June 4 through the 8th. The council gave full approval to allow them to use the sidewalk.

            A discussion of the skate park lights gave differing estimates for different types of poles. This issue will be tabled until further information can be presented.

            John Budreau, Street Superintendent, said that the state has to inspect the new street signs. Upon approval, the labor will be approved for payment. Eight street signs were down and needed replaced. Gerry Parker motioned to pay replace these signs at a cost of $812.48. Pat Claire seconded the motion. The motion passed. It is imperative that the public notify the town hall, street department or the police when there is a down or missing street sign. These signs are expensive to replace. An ordinance proclaiming all signs will be completed later this summer after some signage has been removed.

            The downtown sidewalks will be cleaned by the fire department this weekend and swept by the town on Monday.

            Tom Sarault motioned to eliminate the tap fees for the former elementary school. Nick Finley seconded the motion. It was the council's decision to eliminate the fee prior to the water and sewer lines being tapped due to the large minimum cost of the large meter.

            The sewer department is now going to have to provide an e coli test three times a week for the sewer plant. They are looking into the costs of in-house testing or whether it has to be done by a certified lab. This will be reported at a later date.

            The sewer plant has been running smoothly for 11 years. The normal use is 10years for the motors. The gear boxes were reworked two years ago. Bodine Electric of Danville gave an estimate of $855 per motor to recondition and re-build. Tom Sarault motioned to have this work done on both of the motors. Nick Finley seconded the motion. The motion passed.

            Personnel problems were discussed with the issue to be tabled until the next meeting upon further review.

            Tom Sarault asked if the council would sponsor the Toys for Tots Golf Outing at the Benton County Country Club for $500. Gerry Parker motioned to fund this with prior approval from the State Board of Accounts. Pat Claire seconded the motion. The motion passed. The golf outing will be June 9th.

            The council discussed the continuance of the downtown project on Grant Avenue. This area was included in the original plans, but was cut due to costs. A meeting will be set up so this project can continue in a timely manner without having to re-do any of the prior plans.

            Gerry Parker motioned to accept the cost of $4,500 from Earl Park Sign Shop to have a "Welcome to Fowler" sign installed at the entrance to Fowler at the intersection of US 52 and SR 18 East. Pat Claire seconded the motion. It was unanimous that if a price break of $8,000 for two signs was given, then the purchase would be for two signs.

A motion to pay all claims by Nick Finley and second by Pat Claire was approved.

            There being no further business presented to the meeting, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting thereupon adjourned.