Fowler, Indiana Official Website

May 5, 2008

                        The Town Council of the Town of Fowler met in the Town Hall, Fowler, Indiana, on the 5th day of May 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

Linda Brouillette motioned to accept the minutes as reviewed and John Berry seconded the motion. The motion passed.

            John Budreau, Street Superintendent, updated the council on the 5th Street culvert. A 36 inch culvert has been installed which now allows 3rd Street to drain south to 5th Street and then to the county's ditch. The town council thanks Clint Sanders and Jim Berry, Jr. for helping and allowing the town to do the project on their property.

            The mapping of the town's utilities will be continued by the water and sewer superintendents with an update at the first meeting of July.

            Linda Brouillette gave an update on the sewer bond being refinanced. Taking the savings yearly will give the town a larger savings of $117,890. A schedule of the procedures was passed out with the adoption of the ordinance set for the May 19th meeting. There are two bonds outstanding at this time. Series A with a balance of $640,000 and Series B with a balance of $1,300,000. The bonds will be fully paid in 2018.

            Tom Sarault motioned to raise the sanitation rate from $6 per month to $10 per month. Linda Brouillette seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The contract with Allied Waste costs the town $10 per household to make the weekly pick up. This rate increase does not include the cost for yard waste or town wide clean up.  

            Concerns about skateboards on the downtown sidewalks have resulted in a request to publish a reminder in the newsletter. Bicycle safety and curfew reminders will also be published.

            The traffic problem on East 4th Street discussion has been tabled.

            Linda Brouillette motioned to allow five hours of funeral pay to John Budreau. Carole Hoff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

            The next school board meeting is May 12th. Several council members will attend to present the councils' wishes. The council is in favor of totally demolishing all buildings on the site and building a community center. It is hopeful that several other not-for-profit entities can be located in the center as well.

            Phil Benner, co-owner of Benner's Restaurant, asked to have the streets closed on Saturday, July 5th, to allow for a street dance. Discussion of having a DJ and a free movie early and a band later in the evening was approved.

            The town's attorney will be contacted about the legality of a citizen wanting to remove their sidewalk and not replacing it.

            Kyle Morgan has been hired for summer help. Rick Rothrock has been approved to work the primary election holiday.

            Tom Sarault motioned to approve $2,735 for equipment for the new police car. John Berry seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

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

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

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                                                                                    Kathleen Schwartz, Clerk-Treasurer