(Posted Feb. 3, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
To buy or not to buy a new police vehicle? That is the question.
West Jefferson’s police committee recommended in a two-to-one vote that village council approve the purchase of a 2016 Ford Explorer for the police department. The $38,000 expense is not included in this year’s budget.
Committee chairman Doug Eakins and member Herman Stanley cast the yes votes. Member Randy Otis cast the no vote, suggesting that the matter go to the finance committee for further review.
At the Feb. 1 council meeting, Steve Johnston made the same suggestion Otis did. Johnston is president of council and chairman of the finance committee. The vehicle purchase will be the main topic of a finance meeting set for 2:30 p.m. Feb. 10 in council chambers.
“My contention is that we need to replace a (police) car every single year,” Eakins said, explaining that it’s a matter of priorities. He said the police, fire, water and sewer departments need to be reliably equipped in order to meet what he sees as top priority services to residents.
Lebanon Ford will honor its $38,000 quote until March 11, Eakins said, after which time the price could change. The village also has a quote from Buckeye Ford in London.
In other action:
- Council approved blanket purchase orders totalling $47,000 for installation of a pump station, sewer lines, water main and water lines to the street garage located on North Heath Street.
John Mitchell, public service director, said the garage’s leach field is failing. Also, the water line serving the garage and two nearby residences is overly small. The new pump station will have enough capacity to serve not only the garage but also the residences, should the owners want to tap in at some point in the future, he said.
The improvements should be complete by summer or, if the weather cooperates, as early as spring, Mitchell said.
- Council appointed Randy Otis to be the liaison between the village and the committee researching the possibility of a community center.
- Council will hold a public hearing March 7 on proposed amendments to the zoning portion of the codified ordinances. One change would divide the residential and commercial guidelines into separate chapters. The other involves changes to inspection fees.
- Johnston said he will invite a representative from the village’s law counsel, Bricker and Eckler, to the Feb. 15 council meeting to explain tax increment financing (TIF) and community redevelopment agencies (CRA). He said the information will be helpful to new and veteran council members as the village prepares for another agreement with Duke Realty. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in council chambers, 28 E. Main St.
