The recent Brookville Town Council meeting was held on May 4th and provided several updates, changes, and in-depth discussions over concerns, comments, questions, and projects. Attending were John Estridge, Chuck Campbell, Bridget Hayes, Earl Moore, and Curtis Ward. Once the Pledge of Allegiance ended and roll call was taken, the meeting began. 

Starting off were the department head liaisons. The board discussed their placement, along with the pros and cons. Ultimately, the conclusion was to revoke them. Following this was the police department equipment needs. The amount requested and budgeted was $33K. This includes the laptops, platforms, and other equipment provided to better benefit the police while working and to potentially create a smoother workflow while and to stay connected. The $33K was approved. 

Hayes moved on to department head terms, but the topic was tabled for the next meeting. 

Next was the approval for the hiring of the police department secretary, followed by the code enforcement officer ordinance. This topic was tabled until the next meeting after a short discussion. 

The department budget and the historic district (3rd-10th street) were both approved. 

Hayes moved along to the Zimmer building and the contract for construction. A debate was held over the permits and where the board stands with the protocols followed regarding this ongoing project. Ward proposed the temporary halt in construction until further review of the permits and a call with the contractor is made. This motion was passed. 

Hayes mentioned the BPD laptop quote, which sits at just under $10K. A discussion ensued as to why the budget remains under $10K and further explains the need of the equipment regarding Microsoft 365 usage. A vote was made to approve the budget and carried. 

The BPD equipment inventory was crossed off, having been discussed already and Hayes moved to the $4M sewer grant. The board is waiting on Schirmer with updates on the ongoing project, but Hayes mentioned that several surveys have been received and will be reviewed. With no vote on the matter, next was the placement of security plan, which was tabled for the next meeting. 

The monthly reports held no discussion other than approval of golf course matters. 

Hayes moved on to owner occupied grants when discussing how the board was helping residents and homeowners with renovation needs and assistance. Hayes mentioned she called a representative for the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission who has Housing Preservation Grants through the USDA. This year, the application was for Dearborn County, but one for Franklin County will be put in for next year. 

The grants have helped seven families in the past with renovations and Hayes does clarify that there is no matching money requirement. The board came to an agreement that these grants are beneficial to residents as it ensures they have a safe and livable residence. With a unanimous agreement, Hayes moved on. 

The disc golf project update was tabled for the next meeting. 

Next up was the dumping ordinance. Compost has more than doubled in the last year and now grinding will happen twice instead of once, which is a matter that could be policed. The board held a brief discussion over the steps that can be taken to mitigate this issue and settled on a motion to approve a camera and submitted sign, which was carried. 

The Cintas contract and HWC Engineering on-call contract addendum were next and both approved. Also approved was the Franklin County Youth Football Raffle letter to the board with Hayes' signature. 

The state design release for the salt bin was approved swiftly and the sale of the old police department building was tabled. This ended the regular agenda for the town board meeting and members brought up some additions. 

There were a few items not on the original agenda but received 3-2 votes to move forward. One was amending the rules of procedure for council. 

Ward stated he wanted a subsection added for removal of a president or vice-president as presiding officer. 

Estridge brought up Indiana Code 5-8-1, which states “impeachment is removal of a person from office by the state legislature or circuit court for committing a crime.” 

After a brief back-and-forth over the terms “removal” and “impeachment,” Ward clarified he wished to make a motion to set a new term of the presidency at six months versus a full year. “If there’s a vote of no confidence in a president or VP, they can be removed by vote by simple majority,” he said further. He explained that if the president is removed, the vice would assume the role of president ahead of council approving a new vice-president. If the vice-president were removed, a new one would be voted in. 

Estridge asked if this could be done since she was approved for a one-year term already. Ward says there was precedent since rules of procedure were revoked and amended earlier this year to allow a newly elected member to serve as president (Hayes). 

Campbell then spoke, saying reports he’s received from the public and employees of the town have “not been going very well,” and that it’s gotten to the point where a hostile work environment was created. 

Hayes asked both Ward and Campbell if they ever brought this concern to her outside of a public meeting. Campbell didn’t recall doing so and Ward asked whether it was appropriate to do so. 

“You give a person a chance to correct their behavior,” said Hayes. 

“The same environment you’re imposing on employees, I’ve witnessed personally from this seat,” added Ward. “You’re disrespectful to people who present (public) and disrespectful of people who sit on this board.” 

Campbell seconded Ward’s motion to add the subsection. Vote was 3-2 in favor with Hayes and Estridge voting against and Moore voting in favor alongside Ward and Campbell. 

Moore would be set to assume the presidency in July after Hayes serves out a 6-month term. A new vice-president would then need to be voted in.