Delphi residents may not notice a difference in trash pick-up after the first of the year, until they look at their utility bills. That will be because the company awarded the contract to provide the service to city residents will be using the same truck the city owns.

Indiana Waste Systems of Monticello will provide trash removal to Delphi beginning the first of January for just over $91,000. The contract, approved at the Monday night Delphi City Council meeting, included the purchase of the truck the street department currently uses. The company will purchase the truck and apply the cost against the bill to the city.

A special meeting was scheduled for Dec. 15 to discuss monthly usage bills for residents.

Smiths given key to city

Gil, Janet, Austin and Alexis Smith were awarded a gold key to the city to commemorate being recently named a "Distinguished Family of the Year for 2008" by Family Services Inc. for outstanding accomplishments and service to the community.

The local Delphi family was given the award during National Family Week after being nominated by one of Gil's coworkers from Frankfort.

"With the economy in the tank, you just don't get a lot of good news anymore," Mayor Randy Strasser said when he introduced the family. The children led the council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meeting.

Other business

Police chief Justin Darling announced an officer was in a wreck earlier in the evening.

"The officer is fine," he said. "The police car, not so good."

Darling said written and physical agility tests for officer applicants will be Dec. 13. He said the process is proceeding on schedule.

The activity report for November indicated more traffic summons, warrants served, accidents investigated, abandoned vehicle violations and traffic warnings issued than in October, but not as many as the same time last year. There were more animal control violations recorded than either time period.

Airport manager Brian Stirm reported November fuel sales were more than last year at the same time. He also said hangar rental payments were nearly what they should be for 2008, but provided no data. He said only one tenant was currently in arrears in hangar rent.

Street department supervisor Aaron Lyons said The Andersons has agreed to store surplus salt in a sheltered warehouse.

Strasser reported Dennis Randle would be sworn in as 2009 fire chief. He said due to health issues, current chief John Patterson will step down.

Strasser said the new Christmas decorations purchased by the city arrived and are being installed this week.

A special meeting was scheduled Dec. 15 at 5 p.m., after the board of works meeting at 4:30, to discuss costs for trash removal and the inter-local agreement with the county to provide combined dispatch services.

A special meeting was scheduled for Dec. 22 for year-end transfers.

The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be Jan. 5 at 7 p.m.