Volunteer steps forward for Camden Fall Festival
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Camden's new tax rate and the Fall Festival were among topics discussed at the Camden Town Council meeting last Thursday night.

Clerk-treasurer Pat Casserly said the general fund rate was raised slightly from $1.05 to $1.08. The allowable rate for the general fund was $1.1417, but the council approved the lower rate at a special meeting April 29. Casserly said the rates for Cumulative Capital Development (.0236) and Cum Sewer (.04) will remain the same. She added that the council cut $15,000 from its budget.

Also at the special meeting, the council approved leasing the town garage to Brian Foreman for his business, Vital Signs.

"This will give us a little income and will keep a business in town," said council president Pete Wagoner.

Fall Festival chairman

Mike Gurnick volunteered at the May 8 meeting to be chairman of Camden's Fall Festival. He lives on East Main Street and has been a Camden resident for six years. He said he's organized events like this before.

Gurnick stated that he wants to select the members of his committee, and he'd like to give a portion of the proceeds from the event to charity.

He's already considered possible plans, including having a twoday event, keeping the festival off State Roads 218 and 75, having swap meets, food and trunk vendors, and games, and setting up part of the festival at both ends of town. He's also thinking about changing the traditional date. Gurnick further stated that possible locations for the main part of the festival could be the school or park, with their permission.

Casserly said the council's only connection with the Fall Festival is that the town provides the porta potties and hand washing stations, and can authorize street closings. She added that there is a bank account from the previous festival.

"Get your plans made and we'd be glad to see you take it on," Wagoner told Gurnick.

The council authorized the town marshals to pursue a law enforcement grant for a night camera for monitoring some business locations. Wagoner said there has been sporadic vandalism lately.

In discussing local ordinances, the council agreed that Camden should charge a vehicle inspection fee since other governmental units have such fees.

More information will be available soon on the grant search for restroom funding and on the wastewater grant.

Indiana Housing bids will be opened May 15 for upgrading several homes in Camden.

Andy Kelly is the council's representative at meetings concerning animal control. There are joint efforts being made for Camden, Delphi, Flora, and some of the townships to go together for that purpose. Kelly said he'd find out more definite plans at the group's next meeting May 20.

The council reminds residents of the dumpster downtown for the collection of scrap metal. The township is collecting the metal, with proceeds to go to new playground equipment at the park. Wagoner said the collection is going well. LP gas canisters, freezers, refrigerators, and lawn mowers can be dropped off IF certain criteria are met. Call the town office for details.

Spring clean-up in Camden will be May 22, and the Youth Day Parade and Masonic Lodge breakfast will be June 7.

Casserly said for regular trash pick up days, if residents have a lot of trash or especially heavy things, they should notify Waste Management ahead of time.

The next regular town council meeting will be June 12 at 7 p.m. at the Community Building.