Village of Thurston

Council Meeting Minutes

November 8, 2007

Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm by Mayor Mary Barber. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Roll call: Robert Ortman – Present

Warren Simpson – Present

Ed Vanek – Present

Vickie Carroll - Absent

Laura Clark – Present (came a few minute late)

Detria Hiles – Present

Mary Barber – Present

Aaron Reedy – Present

Mary asked if any visitors wished to speak. None did.

Robert made a motion to approve the October 2007 meeting minutes. Ed second. All yea, with Detria abstaining.

Robert made a motion to approve the October 2007 financial statement. Warren second. All yea. Chief Jim Hite requested all the utility bills be sent to him before payment.

Ed made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance 2007-19, An Ordinance to amend the 2007 appropriations ordinance and the declaration of an emergency. Detria second. All yea.

Ed made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2007-19, An Ordinance to amend the 2007 appropriations ordinance and the declaration of an emergency. Robert second. All yea.

Ed made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Ordinance 2007-20, An Ordinance to amend the 2007 appropriations ordinance and the declaration of an emergency. Laura second. All yea.

Ed made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2007-20, An Ordinance to amend the 2007 appropriations ordinance and the declaration of an emergency. Robert second. All yea.

Robert made a motion to waive the three-reading rule and declare an emergency for Resolution 2007-21, A Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds and the declaration of an emergency. Laura second. All yea.

Detria made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-21, A Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds and the declaration of an emergency. Robert second. All yea.

Report from Fire Chief – Jim Hite was present and submitted the report. Detria said the Fire Department ought to be commended on helping get the township fire levy passed.

Report from the Service Committee: Robert said they met on Wednesday, November 7^th @ 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building. Present were Robert, Detria, Ed, Bob Black and Mayor Barber. Robert said they discussed the playground equipment that was offered to us from Pleasantville. He said it’s going to take a lot of work to get it removed and installed in Thurston. They wanted to ask Council if they still want it. Mary said that the mayor of Pleasantville agreed to hold the equipment for us until January. He mentioned it would be easier to cut the posts and not dig them up. Then they can be installed a certain way in Thurston. Detria would like to get costs. She said we might think about keeping the equipment in the Street Building until we can move forward. Ed made a motion to table the issue until next month so that all members of Council can go to Pleasantville and check the equipment out. Laura second. All yea.

Robert said the rest of the discussion centered around water meters and the ongoing discussion about a possible JEDD with Baltimore.

Report from the Safety Committee: Didn’t meet.

Report from the Finance Committee: Didn’t meet.

Report from the Rules Committee: Didn’t meet.

Report from the Regional Planning Representative: Robert said Bill Arnett was at the meeting and he talked about new industries coming to Fairfield County. Bill said industries are impressed with areas that have a JEDD because it shows entities will work together.

Old Business – Aaron said the sent out a Request for Proposal for the Village Administrator position. Detria suggested putting the RFP in the Towne Crier, also.

Robert asked about the Walnut Creek Sewer District contract. Aaron said nothing has been done. Aaron will send it to Feyko to begin the review.

Detria said that the Work Camp program that is coming to the area still need 20 more applications. Michelle has them if anyone is interested.

Mary asked where the money from the bid of the tanker is to go; the Township has it right now. Council agreed it should come to the fire fund in Thurston.

New Business – Council discussed the need for a dehumidifier for the Council chambers. It was agreed to consult Bob Black as to the sizing.

Mary asked about the historical railroad sign that Council approved the purchase for. What fund does Council want that paid from? It was agreed to wait until after the first of the year and take it out of the General Fund.

Robert congratulated Mary Barber on her re-election as Mayor of Thurston.

Detria said she wanted pricing checked on a meter for the fire house. We would need a meter for a 3-inch line – with low flow/high flow and a backflow control. Jim Hite said this would have to be tested annually. Council is considering this so that we can properly meter usage at the firehouse.

Council discussed meter readings. Jim Hite said the firehouse is not getting read. Lowell Hite said they were reading the meter. Jim said his visits for readings are not being recorded by firehouse personnel. Lowell said he always goes in and they see him, and he reads the meter. Jim will talk to the guys at the station to make sure his visits are recorded on the station log.

Detria said there are many details we need to deal with on the Baltimore water contract and possible JEDD. She asked Council how they feel about the JEDD situation. Laura said she’s just worried about the water contract and getting the best rates. Ed is interested in getting a water contract finished first. He said if Baltimore wants to pursue a JEDD, let them present their ideas to us.

Aaron said the water committee met with Baltimore and they want to know which direction Council would like to take. Aaron suggested negotiating reduced rates for the next 7 – 8 years and then giving control of the water system to Baltimore. That would cut all our costs of the water system, and make our residents pay the same as Baltimore. Detria said it is critical to include the JEDD planning in this, too.

Aaron said that our current line could not feed enough water out to the Rt 256/Rt 37 area if any development were to be done there. There’s nothing to stop Baltimore if they wanted to install a 12” water line out there directly from their system – and we would have nothing to do about it. Detria said they would be stopped by the EPA – it’s happened at another location. Aaron said he didn’t agree that Thurston has anything to offer to this possible JEDD. We don’t have sewer, Baltimore can run their own water, we don’t have anything else. Detria disagreed.

Aaron asked Council for direction for the water contract with Baltimore. Detria asked if we could have a short-term agreement with Baltimore and then make changes based on the direction of the JEDD. Further discussion ensued. Detria pulled out and read from the Village of Baltimore Economic Development Plan which states that Baltimore plans to annex out to the 256/37 area. Detria and Ed feel there’s got to be something in it for Thurston or else Baltimore wouldn’t want to be discussing a JEDD with us. Detria instructed Aaron to request the latest electronic format of Baltimore’s Economic Development Plan from them; it may cost around $20.

Ed and Detria said they have questions for Baltimore and that all Council members should think of their questions and give them to Aaron to give to Baltimore. Aaron requested a special Service Committee meeting so that these questions can be given to him expeditiously so they can meet with Baltimore sooner.

Ed made a motion to hold a special Service Committee meeting on November 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building. Detria second. All yea. Aaron will post the meeting.

Aaron said the Rules Committee and Records Committee need to meet regarding some pending legislation. Aaron will coordinate with the committee members.

Laura made a motion to adjourn. Ed second. All yea. The time is 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Aaron L. Reedy, Clerk