Flora VFD pushes for new building
Susan Scholl Editor

Flora Volunteer Fire Department believes it is time for Flora town officials to take action regarding construction of a new fire department building.

The VFD invited grant writer Dave McDowell to explain grant proposals to help fund construction of a new fire department building at Monday evening's meeting of the Flora Town Council.

McDowell said he believes the town would qualify for a Community Focus Fund (CFF) grant in the amount of $350,000 with a 10 percent match for the town. He said there is a lot of paperwork required for these federal programs and it would require working closely with the town. The next grant cycle is due in mid-September and the next one after that is mid-April 2008.

Council President Josh Ayres suggested that this was the purpose of a recently formed committee to explore fire building options and that the committee should work with McDowell on this project.

"It will be very difficult to get things together by then (mid-September), but it's a worthy goal," said Alan Flora, committee chairman.

Ayres asked McDowell if remediation grants were available to renovate the Fireside Building for the fire and police departments and if the CFF grant included a combination building for both departments.

McDowell said that he will work with the committee and look into planning grants and combination building grants before the committee meets.

VFD Chief Scott Sisson reported that Mike Cottrell and Mike Kingery will represent the department on that committee.

The VFD will sponsor a Relay for Life breakfast fundraiser on opening day for Little League, April 21, at the park. Cottrell is in charge.

Ayres reported that he and Clerk-Treasurer Joretta Tinsman met with representatives from Hawkins Environmental on the town's sewer problems. Hawkins recommended the town have a study done to determine what steps to take to correct deficiencies. Their estimate of costs for the study is $37,400. Tinsman was instructed to obtain another quote for services.

Darrell Yoder requested the council re-examine the town's ordinance requiring owners to pay their tenant's unpaid utility bills.

Yoder said that Flora is the only utilities service that he knows that requires the owner to be liable for the service of their tenant. It is expensive for the owner who has already been left with unpaid rent, often clean-up costs and more, he explained.

"I don't see how it's a fair policy," he said.

Yoder said he has talked to other property owners with tenants who feel the same way and he will present a formal petition requesting the change in the near future.

Yoder also requested the council reconsider how the town charges for sewer rates during the summer. "The rates are highly escalated in the summer due to watering, washing vehicles, filling pools, etc.," he said.

Flora's sewage rates are tied to water usage. He suggested during the summer that customers be charged an average rate or be given a percentage discount.

Town Marshal Paul Redmon reported that his department had had a busy two days. He said that the suspects in the recent business burglaries are in the Marion County Jail.

Redmon urged residents to secure their properties, make sure their doors are locked, and have adequate lighting.

He urged citizens who may see something unusual to report it immediately, because "the sooner we're notified, the quicker we can get on it."

Redmon said police are still accepting donations for the annual Bicycle Helmet Program that will be presented in May at Carroll Elementary School.

For March, the police report included: 15 arrests, 5 felonies, 35 citations issued, 5 parking violations, 35 warnings issued, 136 calls for service, 3 accidents, 4 consents, and 3 warrants served.

The Plan Commission issued two permits in March: Kenneth and Donna McWhorter, handicap ramp, and Will Green, fence.

The Utilities Department is working on cutting trees as weather permits. They will also be flushing hydrants as needed throughout the summer (no specific schedule).

Utilities superintendent Chuck Everett will be attending the Spring IMEA Conference in Fort Wayne May 2-4. Everett has also been appointed to the executive committee for both the Indiana Municipal Power Association and the Indiana Municipal Electric Association.

Bill McCarty, wastewater foreman, reported that no violations were noted during a recent Indiana Department of Environmental Management inspection.

Two resolutions - 2007-2 and 2007-3 - were approved. The first transfers funds from the Rainy Day Fund in the amount of $50,000 and the second is a transfer within the same fund in the amount of $40,000 to purchase a street sweeper.

Curb replacement bids were received from Leo Brown for $149,608 and from Milestone Contractors for $147,976. Because the town has not received its certified budget from the Department of Local Government Finance, the council approved Milestone's bid with the condition that the project will not proceed until the budget is certified.

Spring trash pickup will be April 27 and 28. All items must be out by the curb by 7 a.m. April 27. Once items have been picked up, the truck will not return to that location, either day.

The next meeting will be May 7 at 6 p.m. in the Fireside Building.