Fowler, Indiana Official Website

January 22, 2008

                        The Town Council of the Town of Fowler met in the Town Hall, Fowler, Indiana, on the 22nd day of January 2008 at the hour of 6:00 P.M., for a regular meeting pursuant to call in accordance with the rules of the Council. The meeting was called to order by Gerry Parker, who presided. On call of the roll the members of the Council were shown to be present or absent as follows:

PRESENT: Linda Brouillette, Carole Hoff, John Berry, Gerald Parker & Thomas Sarault

ABSENT: NONE

Tom Sarault motioned to accept the minutes as reviewed and Linda Brouillette seconded the motion. The motion passed.

            Discussion on the rate increase for trash pick-up has been tabled until the council can have more information.

            Discussion on the haste of the first meeting led to a motion to review and re-visit the town attorney selection by John Berry. Tom Sarault seconded the motion. The following was the vote.

                        Ayes                            Nays

            Tom Sarault                              Linda Brouillette

            John Berry                                Carole Hoff

            Gerry Parker                           

The motion passed. Advertising will be done in the Benton Review and the Journal and Courier with the selection to be made at a future meeting. It was agreed that Jud Barce will serve as the interim town attorney.

            Council member, Carole Hoff, stated that she perceives the appointment of Police Liaison to Tom Sarault a conflict of interest.

            Under state law, 10% of the General Budget can be transferred to the Rainy Day Fund if it remains unused. John Berry motioned to transfer $98,469.90 to the Rainy Day Fund. Carole Hoff seconded the motion.

                        Ayes                            Nays

            Tom Sarault                              None

            John Berry

            Gerry Parker

            Linda Brouillette

            Carole Hoff

 The motion passed.

            An ordinance was presented regarding proper ethical conduct by all representatives of the Town of Fowler. This ordinance has been tabled until further review.

            The appointments of the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Plan Commission have been tabled until citizens have had the opportunity to submit their letters of intent to apply for a seat.

            The council was unanimous filing the maximum amount in small claims against a landlord immediately.

            Dick Shull, a Fowler resident, inquired about the town giving up an easement that is not used so he would be allowed to utilize an easement on his property that is south east of Fowler on US 52. There are several easements in town that are not used. The council agreed that further investigation into which easement and whether there will be any cost to the town will be satisfied before the decision is made. This will be tabled until a future meeting.

            The bid opening for the Grant Avenue Storm Grant Project has been changed to February 20th at 1:00 pm. The date change is due to the prevailing wage hearing being on February 14th.

             Josh Johnson, Wesleyan Methodist Church pastor, was present to complain about water in the area of Grant Avenue and 4th Street. He was told that the specific area will not be helped with the Grant Avenue Storm Project even though it is only blocks away.

            Jud Barce, interim town attorney, asked to set Unsafe Building Order Hearings for the following properties:

                        104 East 5th Street

                        106 East 5th Street

                        102 West 1st Street

                        104 West 1st Street

                        406 North Washington Avenue

                        1011 East 3rd Street

A Public Hearing will be set for March 3rd at 5:45 pm.

            Jud Barce also spoke on behalf of the Benton Community School Corporation. They are in the process of applying for a demolition grant. The school board would like to sit with the council and discuss the town's proposed usage of the property. Several citizens attending the meeting noted that they would like to have a community center for the town.

A motion to pay all claims by Tom Sarault and second by Linda Brouillette was approved. A motion to accept the payroll claims by John Berry and second by Tom Sarault was approved.

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