Ferdinand Police Chief leaving in October

There was at least one unexpected announcement at the Ferdinand Town Council meeting Tuesday night.

After giving his report, Police Chief Ricky Patton gave official notice. His wife has accepted a new position with MasterBrand and the couple will be moving to Lexington, N.C. in mid-October. He said he would like to stay until a replacement can be found.

“We’re not going to accept [your resignation],” teased Council President Ken Sicard.

“I appreciate being welcomed into the community,” Patton said. His wife’s promotion was unexpected, he noted, but it will put the couple within 40 miles of their hometown.

“Chief, you did a fantastic job,” asserted resident Don Farina, who was in the audience. “Thank you very much.” Farina then turned to the council and said he thought they should promote from within, adding, “I also want to let you know I am going to be running for the town council.”

Council President Ken Sicard noted the council will probably advertise for Patton’s replacement in July, hold interviews in August and bring in the new chief in September so he or she can work with Chief Patton until his departure.

Following departmental reports, Utility Supervisor Henry Haake introduced Jerry Sitzman, facility manager with Best Home Furnishings. Sitzman explained that after 40 years with the same insurance provider, the furniture giant was told they would have to seek coverage elsewhere as the company had grown too large. In researching a replacement. Best has learned the line that would provide water in the event of a fire might be undersized and he wants to work with the town to rectify the situation. He presented one option and is looking for others that may be more viable, but wanted assurance the council will work with the company.

Councilwoman Debbie Johnson told Sitzman it is in the town’s best interest to work with Best on a solution.

While he was pleased with the assurance, resident Tim Altmann, who lives at 373 West 11th Street, has been fighting a drainage problem on his property for the past 10 years. A drainage easement in his backyard has been eroding the property to the extent Altmann had to remove a deck because the water has rotted the wood.

The council told Altmann, who said he has been calling and seeking assistance for over a year, the problem is on private property but they would be willing to have town employees do the work if Altmann purchases the materials.
He had been told by the previous homeowner and the real estate agent who brokered the sale the culvert was to be enclosed. He asked for a review of minutes from 1994 going back to see if the ditch was discussed by previous councils.

Johnson told him she has walked his property and contacted IDEM, neighboring communities, DNR and others and all say this is a property owner’s responsibility and most communities would not make the offer to handle the labor.”The rules are the rules set by the state.”

Street Superintendent Tom Lueken was passionate in his response, noting he is happy to help out any homeowners but liability is a concern.  He wondered, “Where does it stop?” He added that after the minutes are researched and if directed by the council to do so, he will work with Altmann but noted many problems residents face are the result of actions taken in past decades.

The council also:

– Learned from attorney Bill Shaneyfelt he had sent violation letters to four entities concerning the Dollar General Store drainage problems. The attorney for the previous owner asked him to represent to the council that they are “very serious” about taking care of the matter.

– Heard the first exploratory session to revise the town’s Comprehensive Plan was held with 20 high schoolers to  get their take on what Ferdinand needs. According to Austin Rothgerber, a senior in attendance, it needs a Los Bravos Restaurant which would fulfill the wishes of the 14-18 year old set.

– Will annex property on CR 285 E off 5th Street. Randy Begle asked for the annexation and plans to build a new house there.

– Adopted a list of proposed street repairs (watch next week’s public notice section for details) and will put them out for bids.

– Will revive the insurance committee as the town cannot stay with the existing provider and must switch to an Affordable Care Plan. The initial meeting will be held June 9 from 1-2 p.m.at Town Hall. The committee will be made up of a representative from each department.

– Approved the lowest quote of $3,077 from VI Communications in Vincennes to upgrade eight police radios to 800 megahertz and replace one by July. This unfunded mandate was not in the Police Department budget so the funds will have to be taken from a different source.

– Sold two Grasshopper mowers for $3,826 and $4,026 respectively, both to high bidder Michael Pund.

– Purchased two replacement mowers from Tom’s Lawn and Garden for $27.52.50.

– On the good news front, learned from Shaneyfelt that MasterBrand has exceeded compliance for one of the company’s tax abatements. They had projected that 135 jobs would be added with $4.26 million in salaries. Instead, 255 jobs were added with a payroll of $9.398 million. MasterBrand was also in compliance with a personal property abatement and an abatement from Bennett Hall LLP was also approved.

– Adopted the ADA transitional plan, which Shaneyfelt said was held up by the state as a prime example of a job well done.

– Will meet again June 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.