Ferdinand Town Council: Approved purchase of two new police cars
The Town of Ferdinand is in the market for a new town manager.
On Tuesday night it became official — Marc Steczyk — the first man to hold that position — submitted his resignation, and the council “with very disheartened feelings about it” [Councilwoman Debbie Johnson] accepted.
Steczyk was asked to post the application for his replacement, along with the ordinance that created it, on the town’s website. Applications are due on Friday, September 13.
Council President Ken Sicard said he has already received several inquiries. He added that because the town will be without a manager for upwards of two months, and Steczyk is willing to serve in a limited capacity to handle public relations duties as well as manage the website, a temporary services agreement will be needed.
Steczyk was asked to provide the substance of what he will do so town attorney Bill Shaneyfelt can draft an appropriate document.
Each council member, as well as Shaneyfelt, took a moment to offer thanks to Steczyk for his tenure with the town.
Chief’s first report
Ricky Patton is settling in to his new position.
He presented the monthly report and said evidence procedures are currently being updated, as is equipment, including three new bullet proof vests and four digital cameras. He has applied for grants to cover some of the costs, although the items were included in the 2013 budget.
Also in the budget was $28,000 to replace one of the police cars. Another $28,000 is earmarked for a new vehicle in 2014.
Patton checked with local car dealerships but found it would take several months for delivery; however, Thomas Dodge in Highland has police equipped 2013 Dodge Chargers on the lot that are ready to go, for a lower price than the Interceptor or Charger that could be purchased locally. The Chargers are priced at $21,897 and Patton said Harmonic Electronics would add the radio and lights for $4,694. Hank’s Sign would handle the lettering for $200, putting the price for a fully equipped police vehicle at $26,791.
The current fleet includes two, 2005 Crown Vics (with 111,100 and 123,000 miles respectively), three Impalas (63,000, 85,000 and 82,000 plus) and a 2010 Jeep with 20,590 miles on it, the only one under warranty. Through June of this year, the department has spent over $4,000 for repairs alone. He suggested leasing a second Charger through a special municipal lease program, but the council decided to purchase the second vehicle using a loan from the electric department that will be repaid in 2014, thus avoiding $5,000-$6,000 in interest. This will put the fleet back on a one-per-year rotation.
Patton also asked for, and received permission to send Brian Seffernick and Nathan Lueken for training in Indianapolis September 4 and 5. The cost is $275 apiece plus lodging, transportation and food.
In final police business the council agreed to sell the 1999 Jeep by sealed bid. The bids will be due September 9 and opened at 8 p.m. on September 10.
The council also:
• Agreed to meet with the Park Board to discuss an amphitheater for 18th Street Park. Park Board President Scott Tretter said if this project goes, it needs to be finished before Ferdinand’s 175th birthday in 2015.
• Heard a final report from Heimatfest co-chairs Angi Seffernick and Sue Fink, who are stepping down. They presented Fire Chief Dan Lindauer with a $500 check (in honor of firefighter Stacy Berger) and Park Board President Scott Tretter with a $2,000 check from this year’s proceeds. Donations from this fest to town organizations will be $8,356, the most ever.
• Learned firemen are taking voluntary shifts for a business that would have had to shut down due to an inoperable alarm system and heard the owner is willing to reimburse the town for the expense including benefits, at $11.60 per hour apiece (two firemen per shift). Chief Dan Lindauer also issued thanks for another successful Fireman’s Ball.
• Agreed to send lineman apprentice Dean Gogel to an IMEA-sponsored pole climbing workshop September 4-13, at a cost of $1,250 plus lodging, meals and transportation.
• Heard from Street Superintendent Tom Lueken that south and north-facing street signs are fading to a bluish-green. Some are chalking. The supplier will replace three from different areas of town, testing the ones sent back and working to rectify the problem.
• Heard 280,480 gallons of non-pottable water have been used this year on sports fields.
• Approved purchase of six replacement manholes from Spectra Tech (Noblesville) for $14,160. The price was higher than another bid but the materials, according to Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer, are superior and worth the $1,500 difference.
• Heard an admonishment from Johnson: “I hope I never have to see a brand new street being cut like that again,” referring to a new surface on 5th Street that had to be cut for a water leak.
• Took several requests from resident Don Farina, who would like to see the speed limit on SR 162 lowered to 20 mph on the curve in front of Dollar General. “Someone’s going to get hurt. Now kids are trying to walk bikes across.” Chief Patton said he would work with Farina and INDOT to try and get the speed limit lowered. Farina also suggested adding the words “and cats” to the dog ordinance because of the growing feral cat problem.
• Set up the Insurance Committee with Johnson at the helm and a representative from each department.
• Will write a letter of support for the Dubois County Museum in that volunteer organization’s attempt to secure an intern/director.
• Approved Clerk-Treasurer Bev Schulthise’s attendance at a free, one day session on September 25 for training on the required paperwork for Rural Development grant reports.
• Learned from Electric Department head Henry Haake the AWAA will hold its Southwest District meeting in Ferdinand September 4.
•Heard the next meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. on September 10 following a 7 p.m. budget hearing. Budget adoption is set for 7 p.m. on October 8.
