Fowler, Indiana Official Website

July 21, 2008

                        The Town Council of the Town of Fowler met in the Town Hall, Fowler, Indiana, on the 21st day of July 2008 at the hour of 6:00 P.M., for a Public Hearing and 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

The Planning Grant Public Hearing began at 6:00 pm with Randy Mitchell from K-IRPC presenting the information. The town is applying for a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to help with potential future planning of the sewer, storm water and water infrastructure in the Town of Fowler. The town is asking for $50,000 in grant money with a match from the town of $5,400. The results of the grant application will be made in August of this year.

Carole Hoff motioned to accept the minutes as reviewed and John Berry seconded the motion. The motion passed.

            Vern Pemberton thanked the council for getting the heavy truck traffic problem on Main Street taken care of. There is an eight ton load limit for town streets.

            Council member Tom Sarault discussed the golf course damage near the park. The clerk treasurer will contact Police Chief Rice to contact the country club concerning any damage.

            Two emergency issues were brought to Pro-Tem Council President, Linda Brouillette, during the two week leave of Council President, Gerry Parker. They are as follows:

1. Approval to pour cement at the park for a 36’x14’x8” slab near the pond. The fire department has a yearly water pressure test for their fire trucks that necessitates using a large amount of water for testing. Driving so close to the edge of the pond has made it dangerous and damaging to the edge of the pond. The cement will provide a sturdy platform for the truck. The council approved the $1,200 from the Fire Budget.
2. A call from the Building Commissioner, Sally Slavens, concerning security of an uptown business that is currently going through Unsafe Building hearings. Approval to purchase plywood, locks and manpower to secure the building was given. The council approved the purchase.

Resolution 2008-5, a resolution of the Town of Fowler, Indiana, authorizing the submission of a planning grant application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and addressing related matters, was motioned to accept by Linda Brouillette. Carole Hoff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Cathy Stinson, Park Board President, asked permission to purchase 2 fans installed in the chlorine room and maintenance room for $595. Also to permission to purchase roll up doors for the concession stand and the pool entrance doors of the bathhouse for $2,165.00.  Tom Sarault motioned to purchase the above items to not be over $3,000 from the Concession Fund. Linda Brouillette seconded the motion. The motion passed.

      At the April 7, 2008, the Park salary was discussed. The lifeguard pay was changed from $6.15 to $6.55 due to the minimum wage level increasing as of July 1, 2008. Concern over miscommunication from the Park Board requesting $7.00 per hour for the lifeguards, brought it back to the table. Carole Hoff motioned to grant the $7.00 per hour pay for lifeguards with the pay retroactive from the beginning of the summer. Tom Sarault seconded the motion. The motion passed. Carole Hoff motioned to reimburse the lifeguards for their certification for life guard and CPR training. The lifeguards will have to produce a receipt to be reimbursed. The certification reimbursement is retroactive to include certification costs from 2007 and 2008. Tom Sarault seconded the motion. The motion passed.

      The Town Council discussed having the pool stay open later than the scheduled date of August 10th.  They are requesting at least two additional weekends. Cathy Stinson will meet with the Park Board and Pool Manager, Kim Claire, to submit the request.

      Vic Lauerman presented the financial status of the Senior Citizen group. Mr. Lauerman requested financial assistance from the Town of Fowler to help with the expenses. A fund raiser, raffle or golf outing was suggested as a way to help raise additional monies for the organization. Linda Brouillette motioned to give the Fowler Senior Citizens $2,500 to help with the remaining year’s expenses. Tom Sarault seconded the motion. The motion passed. The money will be taken from the Clerk’s Promotional Fund. It will be decided at a future meeting how much money to pledge for the next year.

      John Budreau, Street Superintendent, discussed having the transmission of two trucks serviced at Bartlett Ford. The maintenance will extend the life of the trucks. Mr. Budreau also requested permission to allow Mike Brewer (part time police officer of the Town of Fowler) to use a town dump truck to pick up and return road cones from Lafayette. Officer Brewer, a full time West Lafayette police officer, is a certified driving instructor. He is putting on a one day driving school for the Town of Fowler police officers and the Benton County Sheriff’s Department free of charge. The council gave approval for the use of the dump truck.

      A motion to pay all claims and payroll by Tom Sarault and second by John Budreau was approved.

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

                                                                                    ____________________________________                                                                 

                                                                                    Kathleen Schwartz, Clerk-Treasurer

Approved:

 __________________________________                                                                

Gerry Parker, Presiding Officer