Flora Town Council approved the purchase of a new equipment truck for the fire department at Monday night’s meeting.

According to chief Scott Sisson, the department’s 33-yearold equipment truck is no longer repairable and parts are nearly non-existent.

The new truck, at a cost of $35,936, will be purchased from Mann Chevrolet. Sisson said that financing issues have been addressed.

The new truck, which will be two feet longer, will have some outside storage units that the present truck does not have.

Sisson said he expects “to use pretty much everything from the present truck.” An expense will be lettering on the truck as per NFPA specifications.

Grand Prix race

Approval was given Flora business owner Tony Griffin to hold a Grand Prix kart race around Flora Community Park on July 3.

To proceed with planning the World Karting Association-sanctioned event, Griffin said that he needed the town’s support and approval to use the park for the all-day event.

Griffin added that it will be a simple track with the inside of the park serving as an infield with concessions, vendors, car corrals, etc.

He is working on funding and has been in contact with racing promoters. The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce will help with the event.

If all goes well, Griffin said he hopes the race can become an annual event.

Council president Josh Ayres urged Griffin to involve the park board with his plans. He also suggested that he contact the Flora Community Club because “they have a lot of experience putting this sort of thing together.”

Griffin also requested that the town waive its no alcohol policy at the park for race day.

“We would like to have a fenced in area for a beer garden,” Griffin explained. “It’s been my experience that when the alcohol is served in a secured area things do not get out of hand.”

The council made no decision on this request.

“If we can pull this race off it should be a very busy, familyoriented weekend in Flora,” Griffin added.

Other business

The council approved a $5,000 expenditure to H R Unl Resources to put together a new personnel policy manual for the town. The last manual was done 15 years ago.

“I believe this is greatly needed,” said council member Vince Seward.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long time,” added Ayres.

The town will advertise to lease 25 tillable acres. Because the town is considering using five of those acres for a new tractor pull area and horse arena, it will be written into the lease to reimburse the leasee for his expenses if the crop cycle is not complete when the town decides to use those acres.

The clerk-treasurer was instructed to send letters to those serving on boards and commissions appointed by the council to see if the individuals want to continue in those capacities. These include the town’s plan commission, zoning board, park and recreation, economic development, and TV council.

Anyone interested in being considered for an appointment should contact a council member or the town office.

Council member David Albaugh will continue to represent the town on the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission.

The yearly senior citizen agreement with Monroe township was approved for $5,400.

Also approved was the cooperative agreement between Area IV Agency on Aging and the Town of Flora for the senior citizens van. Area IV provides everything for the van except fuel that is the town’s responsibility.

The town will sponsor two employees to attend Leadership Carroll County.

“It’s a very good program for the money and a great networking tool,” said Seward.

Reports

The plan commission issued a building permit for a shed to Flora Apartments, Inc., in November.

Ayres commented that he is often asked why and in what circumstance permits are needed. He said that anytime a change is made to the outside of a residence, a permit is required. He also said that once a permit is issued, the building inspector and town employees make sure that everything is proper and utility lines will not be disturbed.

The 2010 employee holiday schedule includes 11 paid days off as follows: Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day; Jan. 18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Feb. 15 – Presidents Day; May 31 – Memorial Day; July 5 – Independence Day observance; Sept. 6 – Labor Day; Oct. 11 – Columbus Day; Nov. 11 – Veterans Day; Nov. 25-26 – Thanksgiving; Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve; Dec. 31 – New Year’s observance.

Council meetings will continue to be held at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. Exceptions will be July and September when the meetings will be moved to the first Tuesday due to a holiday closing.

The town office will close at 12 noon Dec. 24 for Christmas and reopen Monday. The office will also be closed Jan. 1.

Due to both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on Friday, trash pick-up day, the trash route will run both weeks on Saturday.

The council will hold a yearend meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 28. The next regular meeting will be 6 p.m. Jan. 4.