Minutes: August 7, 2023

Remington Town Council Meeting

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: Remington Town Hall/13 E South Railroad Street/Remington, Indiana 47977

Members Present

Susan Flickner, President; Dana Pampel, Vice President; Robert Braaksma, Alan Schambach, James Stewart

Others Present

Mark Jones, Joshua Longest, John Schuetzenhofer, Mike Martin, Dale Budde, Don Schuh, Col. Matthew Handy, Captain Chris Barkman, Cpl. Brandon Greenfield, Sandy Miller, Rebecca Goddard, Jonathan Cripe, and Terri Budde.

The meeting was opened by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:30 p.m.

Minutes of the July 11, 2023 Council Meeting and July 11, 2023 Budget Workshop reviewed. Council Member Braaksma made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Member Stewart seconded the motion. Motion passed with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.

NATIONAL GUARD – Col. Matthew Handy and Captain Chris Barkman provided information on the Armory located in Remington, Indiana; the troops stationed there, and the trade/college possibilities when someone joins the National Guard.

RWCDC/MAIN STREET – Sandy Miller reported:

She’s working with Wolcott Main Street
The website is being updated
The August meeting will be held at the new Remington Town Hall
There will be more trash can art coming soon!
Thanked the Town for the use of an office in the new Town Hall.

CITIZEN COMMENTS – None

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

UTILITIES – Mark Jones and Joshua Longest

Mark Jones reported:

Watched a demonstration of a new vac truck recently.
The computer, modem, etc. were recently replaced at the Wastewater Plant due to it being hit by lightning.
Mark participated in a DMRQA Analysis recently.
There have been many locates lately.

Joshua Longest reported:

The Town will continue water tests this month.
The Town passed the most recent lead/copper test.

STREETS – Don Schuh reported:

Streets Department has been picking up a lot of sticks after the recent storm
Started in the weekend rotation to work last weekend.

PARK – Dale Budde reported:

He is back to mowing, spraying and keeping up with maintenance at the park. Recently there was some vandalism and some spray paint on a door
The work out equipment is installed and ready for use!
The parking lot has been partially paved. Town & Country is to return this week to complete that paving project.

POLICE – John Schuetzenhofer reported:

Police Report for the month is distributed to Council. A detailed call report is on file with the Office of Clerk-Treasurer.
Informed Council the Sheriff has an extra license plate reader camera. It would cost the Town Two Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($2,100.00) per year for 5 years, and would be installed for eastbound traffic on Highway 24 and I-65. Discussion heard. Council requested Clerk-Treasurer Budde to research if we can fund the additional cost for the 2024 budget.

FIRE – Mike Martin reported:

Fire Report for the month distributed to Council. A detailed report is on file with the Office of Clerk-Treasurer.
The fire department survived fair season!
Plans are under way for fire prevention week in the fall.

TOWN MANAGER – Jonathan Cripe

Tree bids were presented as follows: Remington Tree Service – Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-five Dollars ($8,935.00); Mike Babcock – Eight Thousand Sixty Dollars ($8,060.00); Wiseman Tree Service, Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Dollars ($7,980.00). Council Member Stewart moved to approve the tree bid from Wiseman Tree Service in the amount of Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty Dollars ($7,980.00). Vice President Pampel seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 ayes and 0 nays.
The Town has signed up for the energy community action assistance program. He is working on the paperwork.
He will attend the AIM Ideas Summit August 22-24, 2023 in French Lick, Indiana.
Our next big town project will be construction of a new ambulance building.
The sewer extension project will be going out for bid next month.
INDOT recently placed a sign stating we are in the central time zone. Town Manager Cripe has contacted INDOT to have that changed.
The Town Plan Commission will meet in the next 4 – 6 weeks to consider rezoning the Schilli property to general business.
The billing clerk’s time off was discussed. Council agreed that any unpaid time off taken for doctor visits or sick children will not count against the billing clerk until the vacation/sick time is re-set January 1, 2024.
The conference table in the old meeting room has been donated to the fire department.
The table and chairs located in the billing area of the old town hall has been donated to the water department.
Council approved a request for the Clerk-Treasurer to have her desk in the old Town Hall once the office has been relocated to the new Town Hall.
It is contemplated Town Hall will be closed from August 16, 2023 through August 18, 2023 for the move to the new Town Hall.
Comcast will be at the new Town Hall August 16.
Town Manager Cripe requested Council consider a bonus or something to recognize the hours the part-time billing employee has worked this year.
Reminded Council this Thursday is the meeting with Jon Schwab at the new Town Hall meeting room.
Marshal Schuetzenhofer requested the ambulance employees be allowed to use the air conditioned offices in the Service Building once the police department has moved to the new Town Hall. Council agreed with that request.

TOWN ATTORNEY – Rebecca Goddard

No Report

NEW BUSINESS

Council discussed the Remington Food Pantry moving into the old Town Hall and the expenses that will be allocated to the Food Pantry. Council decided to table this issue to the December meeting. Council requested the Clerk-Treasurer monitor the NIPSCO bill for the old Town Hall for August, September, October, and November and provide information as to the monthly cost.

OLD BUSINESS

Ordinance 2023-08-07-001, an Ordinance Creating a Wind Farm Overlay (WFO) District presented. Council Member Braaksma made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-08-07-001, an Ordinance Creating a Wind Farm Overlay (WFO) District. Vice President Pampel seconded the motion. Discussion heard. Ordinance passed with 4 ayes and 1 abstain.
Council Member Stewart requested that the minutes be placed on the Town website. All Council members agree to place the Town minutes on the Town website.

CLERK-TREASURER

A reminder that the September Council meeting will be held August 28, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Remington Town Hall/13 E. South Railroad Street/Remington, Indiana.
Clerk-Treasurer Budde reminded Council that the public hearing on the 2024 Budget is set for August 28, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Remington Town Hall/ 13 E. South Railroad Street/Remington, Indiana. The budget adoption meeting on the 2024 budget is set for October 2, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Remington Town Hall/13 E. South Railroad Street/Remington, Indiana.
Pay Application 9 from Hamstra Builders for the Town Hall renovation project presented in the sum of Sixty-seven Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-three Dollars Fifty Cents ($67,693.50). Council Member Stewart moved to approve Pay Application 9 from Hamstra Builders for the Town Hall renovation project presented in the sum of Sixty-seven Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-three Dollars Fifty Cents ($67,693.50). Council Member Schambach seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 ayes and 0 nays.
July 2023 financial statement presented. Vice President Pampel made a motion to approve the July 2023 financial statement. Council Member Braaksma seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Reminded Council she will attend the Aim Ideas Summit August 22-24, 2023 located in French Lick, Indiana.

Council Member Stewart moved to approve the claims as presented for August. Council Member Braaksma seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 ayes and 0 nays.

There being no further business to discuss, Council meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.