Flora Volunteer Fire Dept. sought the Town Council’s approval Monday night to explore establishing a fire territory.

If the state legislature disbands township government, it would be a way for the town to maintain local control of its fire apparatus, explained chief Scott Sisson.

He further explained that the department is trying to be proactive and sees the fire territory as a way for the town “to protect and maintain our interests.”

Democrat Township VFD has expressed interest in forming a territory with Flora VFD, Sisson said.

To establish a territory for tax year 2011, necessary paperwork must be filed by April 1, he added.

Town attorney Dick T. Bishop was instructed to look into the pros and cons of establishing a fire territory and also what needs to be done to form a territory.

“This deserves a lot more investigation,” Council President Josh Ayres said.

The town is one step closer to adopting a compression brake ordinance.

Fines were established per driver as follows: $50 first offense, $150 second offense, $300 third offense, and $500 for each offense thereafter.

Town attorney Dick T. Bishop was instructed to prepare an ordinance to be signed at the next meeting.

Clerk-treasurer Joretta Tinsman has been promoting the 2010 Census and the importance of everyone being counted. She spoke recently to Lions and Rotary clubs and Leadership Carroll County.

She said that it should take no more than 10 minutes to answer the 10 questions.

Ayres, Vince Seward and Tinsman will file conflict of interest forms.

Town Marshal Paul Redmon’s request that the sheriff’s department be allowed to use one of three available spots on the Elizabeth Street tower to place an antenna for its mobile data terminal system was approved.

The marshal reported that numbers on the monthly activity report were down in January. He attributed the lower numbers to a police car being out of commission for a couple of weeks and the weather.

The police report for January included 3 arrests/misdemeanors, 3 felonies, 4 citations, 6 parking, 24 warnings, 57 calls for service, 4 accidents, and 2 warrants.

The council approved the estimate from T&M Heating & Cooling to replace the roof and two windows at the water plant. The $3,462.66 estimate included $2,687 for a new asphalt roof and $775.66 for two replacement double hung windows.

Re-appointments approved were: Tom Kressley, Town Plan Commission, four-year term; and Gary Yoder, Board of Zoning Appeals, three-year term.

The town office will be closed Feb. 15 in observance of Presidents Day.

The next meeting will be March 1 at 6 p.m.