A potential ordinance update was proposed while Winamac officials were discussing the Volunteer Fire Department contract at last Monday’s Town Council meeting.
Town Manager Brad Zellers read from an existing ordinance which contains the terms between the town and the fire department, noting that it was originally passed in 1996.
He said, “It shows in there at the department shall submit a written report to the town before April 1st of each year, indicating the amount of service charges collected for the previous year.”
Town Council President Tom Murray noted that hasn’t been done for quite some time. He went on to comment on the age of the ordinance and suggested that it might be time to look it over and redo it.
The council members echoed Murray’s interest in revisiting the ordinance. Town Attorney Justin Schramm was asked to check and see if they would need to make any specific amendments regarding updated state statutes.
Councilwoman Judy Heater added that she felt some of the items that were discussed when the Town Council met with department one on one months ago that still haven’t been addressed.
Street and Water Department Superintendent Jeremy Beckner currently serves as a link between the town and the fire department. He said he’ll speak with the Department’s secretary-treasurer about the council’s concerns. He also indicated that he plans to coordinate with Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger about the matter prior to the next council meeting in March.
President Murray added that before an updated contract is approved, they should ensure that the department is planning to address those issues. Councilman Alvin Parish asked if that meant the existing contract would remain in effect for the time being and Murray confirmed that was the case.
