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Last updated on Friday, December 28, 2012
(OOLITIC) - The flashing red 4-way warning light will be repaired at the intersection of Main Street and Hoosier Avenue.
Oolitic Clerk-Treasure Jim Staley told the town council Thursday night he has ordered the part, which cost $140 and it will be replaced as soon as it comes in.
The town council voted to retain Bedford Attorney Greg Pittman to represent the town in 2013.
In other business:
* Staley provided the council with a final draft of a contract between the Oolitic Volunteer Fire Department and the town for their approval. Attorney Greg Pittman reviewed the new contract and Staley asked the council to approve and sign it. The council voted to accept the contract.
* Council members Bill Kendall and Pauline Row asked about the cleanup efforts at a home in the 1000 block of Walnut Street.
"I think it is getting worse," Row says. "I think there is more trash there now than before."
Town Deputy Marshall Bill Allen will visit the property Friday and prepare a letter saying the property needs cleaned up to the resident and town. The residents will be given a date on when the property must be cleaned up and if not they will be issued a citation.
"It is a shame we have to do this," Council President Delvin Nikirk says. "But sometime the only way you can get them to clean up the property is to get into their pocket book."
* Nikirk says the Safe Route To School project is on hold for now -until they hear back from the state. The project is in a standstill because businessman Kenny Hawkins does not want to give an easement for the sidewalk in front of his property.
So far, all the town's residents have granted easement rights expect Hawkins.
Pittman says he meet with Hawkins and his lawyer and the engineers so Hawkins could ask questions and address issues. Hawkins after talking to the engineer, and meeting with his lawyer, advised the town he did not want to grant the easement.
Pittman told the council he was willing to contact Hawkins' attorney and again try to address the issue with Hawkins. The town was hoping to let bids for the project this month, but that has been pushed back until May.
* Staley informed the council that the fire department is considering purchasing a fire engine for the department. The department is researching for possible grants and considering a loan to purchase the used engine for around $50,000. The newer engine would replace one that currently in owned by the town and no longer in working order.
* Deputy Allen says he has received one estimate for damage to the Oolitic police car after a woman slid into it while Allen was working a wreck. The first estimate was fore $1,800, but Allen will seek other before submitting them to the woman's insurance company.
* Kendall asked Staley if the town had been paid for town employees cleaning up and cut grass at properties that were issued warning letters about high grass and debris this summer.
Staley informed the council that there were 7 properties he had place liens on and all of them had been paid in full.
"The hardest part is researching and finding out who owns the abandoned properties so we can file the liens," Staley says. "We have been paid for all seven and were able to take care of the clean up and the adjacent property owners didn't have to deal with it."
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