It was announced at last Thursday night’s Camden Town Council meeting that 12 houses will receive improvements through a $250,000 grant received from the Indiana Housing Authority.

Star Development, grant administrator, will select which homes qualify for improvements. Criteria will be determined by the town.

The town will pay fifty percent of the costs to stone the driveway at the park. Town employees use the drive as access to the well.

“The entrance is getting bad and I’m afraid the pavement will crumble out,” said Jackson Township Trustee Bill Dittman.

V.L.P. Grant Administration was approved to administer the DR2 grant received to upgrade the town’s water system. The selection process is also underway for a project engineer. The applications will be reviewed on April 6, interviews held April 8, and final selection made on April 12.

Star Development will do the final draft plans for the restroom project at the Community Building.

The town did not receive an ARRA/Energy Efficiency Grant to replace lighting and HVAC in the Community Building and health center. The town will resubmit the grant for the Community Building only.

Dog tags for 2010 are available at the town office at a cost of $5 for unneutered pets and $3 for neutered pets.

With no animal control, problems are increasing with dogs and stray cats.

Town employees report having problems with aggressive dogs while reading water meters. Dogs are also bothering residents who are out walking.

Pet owners who allow their animals to run loose will be fined by the town marshal.

The HHH design plans will include an overpass and connection for a future extension of SR/CR 75, said council president Pete Wagoner. County officials have ceased engineering work on the extension due to lack of funding.

The Judson Association of the American Baptist Church will hold its annual meeting Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Camden church. The association is offering to help with labor for community projects the two days prior to the meeting. Wagoner will work with the group on developing a project.

The 2010 Census has been delivered to town residents. Anyone who was missed may go to the library for a form. Assistance is available at the library to answer questions and help in completing the form.

Wagoner reminded residents of the importance of completing and returning their Census forms. The town’s allowable tax revenue for the next ten years will be determined by the Census.

Camden Lions Club will sponsor a new fundraising event on Sept. 11, a Farm Toy Tractor Show. Don Mc- Cain and Nathan Trapp are co-chairs.

This type of show has been successful in other communities, said McCain, and it should bring a lot of people to Camden.

Plans are to hold the toy tractor show in the Community Building, where vendors will set up and lunch will be served. The council approved use of the building at no charge.

Because of costs associated with building a six-foot chain link fence around the wastewater treatment facilities, Town employees Jerry Snavely and Tom Mears suggested repairing the current six-foot farm fence and putting it back up.

Resolution 2010-01 was approved to reduce the general fund to $185,051 to bring it into line with reduced revenue due to property tax caps.

Resolution 2010-02 was also approved transferring $1,400 from the general fund into the Rainy Day fund.

Ordinance violations were discussed and will be addressed by the town attorney and clerk-treasurer.

Officials agreed to a proposal by TDS Telecom that in lieu of its agreement to pay half of the costs of the pay phone at the Community Building to instead spend up to $500 per year for community projects. TDS will be recognized for its contributions.

4-H shooting sports activities are held on town property. Tammy Arnett, the 4-H shooting sports leader, reported that they will begin practicing on April 7 and will have shoots every Wednesday through June 23. The final shoot will be June 27.

Arnett’s request that the club cover all costs for a port-a-potty at the site was approved. The town will also spray for mosquitoes and keep the grass at a reasonable height.

The annual Community Club fish fry will be Saturday.

Town-wide spring cleanup day will be May 20. Jackson Township Trustee Bill Dittman said the township will provide a dumpster in the town’s activity lot for scrap metal. It will be removed June 1. Proceeds from last year’s scrap metal drive provided swings at the park.

Town-wide garage sales will be held July 24 with Deb Foreman in charge. The Preservation Society will have a food stand. The town will provide port-a-potties.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 8 in the library’s Reading Room.