Ferdinand Police Department reorganized
Ferdinand Police Chief Lloyd Froman hit the ground running at the first Town Council meeting following his appointment.
He sought three administrative changes for his department Tuesday night, citing the impetus behind his decisions.
First, he asked to make Sgt. Brian Seffernick the assistant chief, noting his associate’s degree in law enforcement, four years of supervisory experience over 3-20 staff members, various certifications and 16 years with the Ferdinand Police Department.
Froman also wants to promote Sgt. Nathan Lueken to the position of Department Training Officer and evening floater to cover for any absences. Explaining he is ILEA certified in general and defensive tactical instruction, serves as IDAX coordinator, is an evidence tech and a member of the emergency response team, Froman felt this promotion was warranted.
Finally, as his own promotion to chief created a vacancy in the department, Froman wants to move Eric Hopkins from reserve officer to full-time officer for a probationary period. Hopkins is an ILEA pre-basic graduate, successfully completed the field training program, has averaged 38 hours service per month (16 hours is the requirement) and is working towards a bachelor’s degree in criminology.
The Town Council approved all three changes, and set Hopkins salary at $14.25 per hour, which will rise by $2 per hour after Hopkins graduates from the Police Academy. Wednesday, October 14 is his first day.
Both Seffernick and Lueken agreed the council could defer a decision about their salaries, possibly to year’s end so the change can be part of the 2016 salary ordinance.
Later in the meeting, council members adopted an amendment to the salary ordinance, removing former Chief Ricky Patton’s name and changing Chef Lloyd Froman’s weekly salary to $961.54, retroactive to September 24.
With 25 items on the agenda (another seven with departmental reports) council members kidded that pillows might be in order.
However, most of the items were addressed in rather short order.
Following is a summary of departmental reports.
-Chief Lloyd Froman asked to purchase airsoft guns to improve firearms training, explaining Officer Nathan Lueken presented the idea as a more cost effective yet real-world way to improve accuracy and reaction time, especially in scenario-based training. The cost for four guns plus air tanks, adapters and ammo (BBs) runs $600 total. The airsoft guns are very similar to the duty weapons currently used by the police force. The expenditure was approved.
-Fire Chief Dan Lindauer said his department made 14 runs in September, four for fire and 10 call outs for First Responders. The aerial truck passed inspection with minor repairs and both hose testing and driver’s training will take place within the next two weeks, as will the department’s next biannial Adopt A Highway session on State Road 264. He also reported the fire department, along with two police officers took a three hours tour of the monastery.
-Utility Superintendent Henry Haake told the council that Dean Gogel completed his third year of lineman schooling. His department has been extending utilities to the new Taco Bell on the south side, is working to upgrade electric service to St. Ferdinand Church and is extending an electric line to Ferdinand Processing to alleviate power outages. He reported a boring crew is expected in the near future to bore under the soccer field at 5th Street Park and extend a new line to Masterbrand. Haake also said there has been a boil order in the Ferdinand Processing area (East 5th Street) for about two weeks and the water supply in that area has been limited as Patoka is installing a new water tie in.
-Street and Property Superintendent Tom Lueken reported that, as of Friday, October 9, all limbs and yard waste have been dealt with. His department has been busy with street striping and road repairs. He plans to install 600-800 feet of curb and gutter on 5th and 6th streets and possibly on Georgia and Delaware streets as well. Currently, his staff is working on fall clean up and preparing for leaf pick up.
-Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer has been contending with Big Foot. Unlike the urban legend, this Big Foot is quite visible and currently can be seen in a repair shop. “I’m just trying to keep it bandaided,” Schaefer explained. When the new phosphorous removal plant is complete, Big Foot will be obsolete, but meanwhile Schaefer has 300,000-400,000 gallons of sludge that he “must get rid of.” His last resort will be to have the sludge belt pressed.
-On the good news front, the drinking fountains and rest rooms in both town parks will remain on and open year round, according to Park Board President Mike Steffe. He noted a donation from Kiwanis allowed purchase of an expression swing at 18th Street Park, designed for an adult and toddler to swing together while facing one another. Steffe said post-175th celebration repair at 18th Street Park is going well and, thanks to a donation from the Möbel Foundation, renovation of the shelter house at 5th Street Park will commence soon.
-Town Manager Chris James was enthusiastic about the Ferdinand Folk Fest, held September 19 at 18th Street Park. An estimated 8,000-10,000 attendees enjoyed the sunny weather and sales of merchandise plus donations were higher than previous years. The biggest expenditure was a new stage and, thanks to a $7,500 grant from the Dubois County Community Foundation, the event turned a profit for the first time. James plans to encumber $6,500 for Folk Fest 2016. He thanked all town employees for their help.
-James also reported that documents to swap town land with a parcel on 475 E in preparation for the phosphorous plant have been signed by owner Joan Quante and signatures from Council President Ken Sicard and notarization from Clerk-Treasurer Bev Schulthise were all that was needed to make the trade official.
In other business the council:
-Adopted the 2016 budget of $2,417,336, with a $708,208 tax levy, resulting in a tax rate of .7738 per $100 of assessed valuation.
-Approved the route for the Tri-County YMCA Monster Dash 5-K, presented by Pat Miller. The dash will be held Saturday, October 31, starting at 9 a.m. Henry Haake has again agreed to lead the runners (in a vehicle) a job he has held for several years. “Although it’s never been in the paper,” he teased, “I finish first.”
-Also heard from Miller that if the Marching Rangers manage to secure a four-pete at the State Marching Band Championships, the parade will be held Sunday afternoon instead of at 3 a.m. when the band returns from Indianapolis.
-Discussed a draft Memorandum of Understanding with Best Home Furnishings. The furniture giant is willing to divert 12.5 acres of run-off to a detention pond to alleviate flooding at the Larry Mundy residence. While they wish to start as soon as possible, engineer Steve Grundhoefer had not yet completed all the necessary calculations. The council gave permission for Sicard and Schulthise to execute the MOU pending review by Shaneyfelt and Grundhoefer and with approval from Best. “This was not a problem caused by Best Home Furnishings,” noted Sicard. “They stepped up and offered to solve the problem,” added Councilwoman Debbie Johnson.
-Heard from resident Don Farina that he thought he was going to be kept in the loop on his flooding issues. He lives on SR 264 (the SR standing for State Road) so the situation is different. Town officials have heard nothing from the state which is responsible for the area. While INDOT officials recently surveyed the area they did not report any findings to the town.
-Learned from Haake the water main replacement on the west side of Main is coming to a close for the season and work between 10th and 13th should be finished in the next two weeks.
-Discussed the phosphorous abatement project and the various steps needed to be taken to meet deadlines imposed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The most difficult step appears to be securing financing with Rural Development, which is ongoing. Schaefer noted trees that will be taken down to make room will have to be replaced elsewhere, two trees for every one removed, which equates to about 2,000 trees.
-Heard the West Clarifier Project had been completed by KWK Enterprise, approved a change order for the project and a claim for $59,422.70. An additional $5,000 will be held in escrow for a year as part of the contract. The council also approved a $5,000 claim from Midwestern Engineers for their design work on the clarifier.
-Agreed to file suit against Monster Recycling for the full $9,000 owed. The council extended an offer for the company to pay $1,500 for the broken contract as a good faith measure (instead of the full amount) but that payment was not made.
-Heard from Sicard that AT&T is not responsible for the proposed cell tower in the Holiday Lake area. The FAA must give its approval before the builders can apply for a variance from the town. According to Jim O’Neal from WITZ, the Huntingburg Airport Board also objects to its placement. Objections can be submitted to the FAA until October 28. Sicard can provide a contact email.
-Adopted Ordinance 2015-08, amending a previous ordinance listing safety zones. A new crosswalk safety zone will be added on 8th Street near Ferdinand Elementary. The ordinance must be published (see public notices in next week’s News) and does not take effect until 30 days after publication.
-Signed contracts with Ferdinand Township for 2016 services, including $23,000 for use of town parks and $75,000 for fire protection, including an extra $40,000 to help with the cost of a new fire truck. Both sums will be paid in two installments, June 30 and December 30.
-Signed burn permits for American Legion BBQs to be held October 25, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 13 and April 10.
-Said no to a request from Brian Beckman, who lives at 542 East 23rd Street. Beckman wished to burn tree limbs.
-Heard from Johnson that the current health insurance price will rise by 25 or 26% and agreed she should meet with the insurance committee and provider to discuss other options.
-Set Trick or Treating hours for 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31.
The Ferdinand Board of Zoning Appeals will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, following by the Plan Commission at 7 p.m. The Economic Development Commission will meet on Monday, November 9 at 6 p.m. and the next Ferdinand Town Council meeting is slated for Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
