Busy beginning for Delphi police and fire
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

January held a lot of activity for residents throughout Carroll County. There was the flood. There was the snowstorm. And for two city departments there was a huge increase in their monthly activity.

"Those are real numbers," Delphi Police Chief Justin Darling told city council members at the Monday night meeting as they reviewed the January police statistical report. "Delphi officers have done a tremendous job in the past 30 days."

Darling explained that he directed officers to give written warnings rather than verbal ones. He said that move added a level of accountability to department activity.

According to Darling, officers have made additional contacts since the beginning of the year. The more contacts with the public led to more contacts with criminals, which resulted in significant increases in the number of traffic summons, warnings, misdemeanor arrests and reports, and felony and information reports from December and from one year ago.

City officers issued nine traffic summons in December and 27 in January. The number of warnings jumped from 25 to 131 in the same period. Misdemeanor arrests more than doubled. The detailed report can be viewed at the city building.

"We aren't out there just to get numbers," Darling clarified. "We are out there meeting and coming in contact with people to be proactive in our approach to crime prevention."

Fire chief John Patterson also reported a busy January. He said the number of man-hours fighting fires "was pretty high."

With only two minor injuries, the department's 29 firefighters utilized 485 hours fighting fires.

Patterson said the department is looking for additional firefighters. He said he would like to have between 32 and 35 personnel in the department.

Department reports

Street commissioner Aaron Lyons reported the city hauled 45 tons of flood debris to help the county highway department during the recent flood event. He said the department kept track of fuel costs with the hope of reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Wastewater superintendent Dick VanSickle said 120 biotons of solid waste was processed and hauled away in 2007.

Airport manager Brian Stirm said the runway lights were hit by lightening last week and are no longer operational. Due to the nature of the lighting it will be necessary for a professional in the field to diagnose and repair them. The cost should be covered by insurance.

Stirm reported the trolley drove 1,899 miles and had 1,521 riders in 2007. A different engine is scheduled to be transplanted into the vehicle in February.

Other business

Council approved $29,636 for the remainder of the roofing project on the city building.

Council representative on the North West Solid Waste District Kyle Germond reported the city was encouraged to utilize all of the $20,000 allocated grant for recycling activities.

Daryl Smith of the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation provided a brief review of the St. Claire Group Strategic Directions report. He thanked council members for the financial support from the city for the study and said electronic copies of the report can be obtained by calling the EDC office at (765) 564- 2060.

Mayor's report

"It has been a busy 30 days," mayor Randy Strasser reported.

He said computer and telephone issues plagued the city building but employees were working to immediately correct problems that arose. The Web site is being improved and will provide additional content.

Strasser said departments will work on 2009 budget needs and requests in April and May to aid council members during the June budget hearings.

A policies and procedures committee and a finance committee are being established. Council members Danny Sterrett and Carolyn Pearson, along with Strasser and clerk-treasurer Janice Roe will serve on the finance committee. Several department heads will be asked to serve on the policy committee.

The next meeting will be March 3 at 7 p.m. Board of works will meet at 6:30 p.m.