Between now and May 10 –the new meeting date due to the May 3 election –Brookville Town Council has some loose ends to tie up regarding employees, police auto usage, public comments and bond obligations.

A large chunk of the 90-minute meeting April 19 was spent discussing how best to maximize skills and availability of current town employees while also considering the quality of new hires.

Street superintendent Brent Riehle sparked the topic when he said his department’s down to just himself and mechanic Rocky Sparks as full-timers and recent part-time hire Tim Welke due to some recent turnover, including the loss of two backhoe operators.

“I feel we need to get back to where we were because things are kind of being neglected,”said Riehle. “We’re already doing things once a month that we used to take care of once a week.”

The main request was moving Welke into the newly vacant third full-time slot and hiring a new part-time worker. By the end of the discussion, the latter had become a possible fourth full-timer.

President Curtis Ward was skeptical of that at first.

“The winter worries me,” he said. “You have two guys at wastewater, two at water. You don’t want to get so heavy that guys are looking for something to do. Maybe we can have three guys when it’s the busy season.”

“We service equipment in winter, there’s plenty to do,” Riehle replied. “You should also factor in safety, guys who are used to working together.”

Board member Chuck Campbell was concerned “We won’t catch too many fish” if advertising for part-time.

Backhoe operation was a big part of the conversation.

“I think since we lost employees with skills to run the backhoe and other equipment, we need to replace that,” member Catherine Pelsor added. “We need good people to run equipment safely.”

The subject came up again near the end of the meeting after Jessica Hansel, town special projects director, advised she wished to extend an offer for the lone candidate interviewed for utilities operator.

“My concern is we need an operator with proper credentials,” said Ward. “If someone has just a little experience, are we really filling the (skills) gap?”

Sharing within the town is also key.

“We have properties with the same structure, pool and golf course,” added Ward. “They’re seasonally based with two full-time guys coming to help in winter.”

Ultimately, Brooke Leffingwell made the motion to bump Welke to full-time immediately, advertise for part-time help and have clerk-treasurer Gina Gillman review the budget to see if another full-time worker is feasible. Motion carried.

Ward recommended Riehle, town administrator Tim Ripperger, Hansel and a board member call the utilities candidate back in to inquire further on equipment skill.

Police chief Terry Mitchum broached current standard operating procedures for officers’take-home vehicles, specifically monthly gas bills. 

“I’m recommending free, but I know we’ve had this discussion,”he said. “we’ve talked about it being $50 but I’m asking for $30. I understand gas prices go up and down but I’m also betting on maintenance costs going down to offset that.”

He’d spoken with law enforcement agencies around the area and only Connersville is charged for gas at $50. Franklin County Sheriff’s Department does not charge deputies.

Another piece to this is allowing officers to drive cars to and through town, even when off-duty and perhaps running a personal errand. Out of town training would be one other use.

“Say a guy comes into town to get a haircut,”said Mitchum. “The car is seen, and the officer can help or act if something happens. If it saves one person’s life, that pays for itself.”

The board did not commit to lower bills but said they’d negotiate. Mitchum will meet with Campbell and Pelsor. 

Town attorney Grant Reeves spoke briefly on public comment procedures and some misconceptions. 

“There’s an absolute right to speak but that right can still be regulated,”he said. 

Reeves encouraged advance sign-ups, saying most questions can be answered ahead of time and the board can then focus on business during the meeting. He said he’d put something together toward adopting more formal rules of procedure.

Derrike Kolb had public comments about finances. Addressing Leffingwell, he said he saw a Facebook post about town tax rate increases resulting from a bond issued last year; included in the debt were the golf course, the former Zimmer Tractor property and the aquatic center, the latter said to represent 50% of new debt issued. Kolb asked to know why the aquatic center was included as he was told previously it was just the other properties.

He also wanted to know why bond payments - $95,000 per year for the golf course and $75,000 a year for municipal projects –totaled more than the $140,369 originally levied. Kolb said it could amount to another tax increase. Extrapolating the totals for 22 years, he came up with a difference of $1.5 million –or $2.2 up to $3.7. Reeves said the board would investigate his concerns.

Other items

Riehle, superintendent since 2008, and Sparks were approved for 5% raises effective immediately.

The first farmers’ market of the year is set for June 4, 8 a.m.-noon, in the “Rosenberger” parking lot.

The Brookville Volunteer Fire Department was approved for a digital sign to be placed in front of the Schilling Center to display events. It is 72x76 inches and a foot thick. 

The Brookville Car Club requested a show next to Coffee on Main for April 30, 8-11 a.m. Parking meter fees will be waived during the event.

Leffingwell applied for a state non-matching grant for $5,000, which would fund a mural by artist Ross Tuggle of Indianapolis to be placed on the restroom building by Codiano Field. The mural would have to be done by October.

Meeting room and movie night speakers were discussed. The total quote from Sweetwater Music, Ft. Wayne, was $1,093.94. The board will seek additional quotes.

National Kids to Parks Day will be May 21. 

Permits for Richard Bishop (54 E. Butler St.) and Lynette Weidner (417 E. 8th St) were approved subject to setback requirements.