The North Judson Town Board members discussed pool fills at their recent meeting. The Board approved the action of pool fills but an ordinance will be constructed to outline the fees. The Board approved the fee of $.03 a gallon for water and $.80 a mile for fuel. A credit card will also need to be provided to ensure payment. A bill will not be sent.
The North Judson Town Board approved the final reading on an ordinance that establishes the requirements for responsible and responsive bidders that bid on a town project. The Board is required to accept the lowest bid received. Under this ordinance, if the Town Board members receive a low bid on a project and the lowest bidder is found to not be the best company for the job and it can be documented, the Town would have the right to accept the next lowest bid.
The North Judson Town Board heard from concerned citizens about the gas prices in North Judson. It was reported to WKVI that the gas prices in North Judson are generally $.10 higher than the surrounding communities.
The Board was expected to write a letter to the gas stations and ask why this is occurring and how it can be fixed. The residents are especially concerned about prices in this economy.
North Judson Police Chief, Doug Vessely, told the North Judson Town Board this week that a recent search warrant conducted at the scrap yard in Knox by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, Knox City Police Department and the North Judson Police Department may have uncovered stolen property from the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson. Museum staff had reported joint bars stolen plus other items worth thousands of dollars. The incident remains under investigation.
The North Judson Town Board members received information on implementing a 50/50 sidewalk program at their meeting on April 4th. The Board has not made a decision on whether or not to move forward with the project. The attorney will look over the proposal and other information and bring it back for discussion at the May 2nd meeting.
The North Judson Town Board heard a presentation from Clerk-Treasurer, Connie Miller, about a 50/50 sidewalk program. The Clerk presented ordinances and other papers to the Board members for their consideration. It is a new program for the town and it mirrors the program in Knox where the property owner submits their project to the Board, the Utility Superintendent inspects the site and determines whether or not the applicant’s project is acceptable. The homeowner would pay for half the project and the Town would pay for the other half. The discussion was tabled until the April 18th meeting so the Attorney and the Board members can decide how to move forward.
On Monday night, the North Judson Town Board approved a special event permit submitted by the Illiana Historical Association. The members in the organization hope to participate in a World War II reenactment event on Friday, June 3rd through Sunday, June 5th, on the old railroad bed property, east of Luken Street, north of the new Firehouse. More details of the event will be available as the event draws closer.
The North Judson Town Board approved the first reading of an ordinance that establishes bidder requirements when the Board seeks bids on a project. The ordinance sets guidelines and wording on companies bidding on projects. Normally the Board accepts the lowest bid for a project. This ordinance lets the Board accept the second lowest bid if the lowest bid does not meet bid specifications of the project and if the bidder is not a responsible bidder.
The North Judson Town Board approved Nies Engineering to work on the sewer separation project on State Road 39. Three applicants were interviewed and the committee chosen to do the interviews recommended Nies Engineering for the project. The contract is not to exceed $83,781.
Two representatives from the Indiana Historical Association asked the Board if they could do a World War II reenactment on June 4th and 5th on the old railroad property on Luken Street. They have the owner’s permission to hold the event on that property but they need to fill out a special event permit for the Board’s approval. The permit will be reviewed at the Board’s next meeting.
The North Judson Town Board members approved the third and final readings of two ordinances at their recent meeting. One pertains to an amendment to the schedule of fees ordinance and the second ordinance prohibits the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana within the town limits.
In other news:
Engineers are being interviewed for the State Road 39 sewer separation project. Work on that project could begin early this spring.
North Judson Fire Chief, Joe Leszek submitted the Fire Department’s statistics for January to the North Judson Town Board during the Board’s recent meeting.
The Department had two smoke investigations, one search and rescue call, two medical assist calls, and one burn complaint. Four of the calls were in North Judson, one call was in Wayne Township and two calls were in Jackson Township.
The North Judson Town Board is considering a parking ordinance in case of a snow emergency. The recent snow event proved problematic for the Street Department to push snow off the town streets around parked cars. The Board commended the Street Department on their efforts and thanked Doug O’Donnell and Jim Menis for offering their personal vehicles to assist in snow removal for the town.
The North Judson Town Board approved a request by the Railroad Committee to increase the Town’s match for grants for railroad improvements. The extra money will come out of the railroad fund. The IRSF grant match was previously approved for $48,175 and the Railroad Committee needed an additional $13,423. The request was approved for a total grant match of $61,598. With the Town’s grant match, the total IRSF grant will be approximately $233,000. The Railroad Committee is also applying for a T-Grant and the town’s match will be $20,540 which will also come out of the railroad fund.
The grant money will be used to rebuild railroad crossings, install drainage pipes, railroad ties, switches, and many other improvements.
North Judson Town Marshal, Doug Vessely, reported to the North Judson Town Board that the Police Department is short one full-time police officer. The position will need to be filled soon, however the Department is not taking applications at this time.
Vessely reported that the new 2011 Crown Victoria car has been delivered to the Department. The light package and other equipment has not yet been installed in the car so it won’t be in service until next week.
The North Judson Town Board approved the reallocation of funds in the 2011 budget to allow a three percent increase for full-time Town employees for this year. The employees have not had a raise in three years. The reallocation did not effect the budget’s bottom line. The Town’s approved budget total is $767,964 for 2011.
The Board also approved a special event permit for the North Judson Mint Festival Committee. The Mint Festival will be held June 17th-19th, 2011.
The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department presented its December 2010 monthly report to the North Judson Town Board members Monday night.
The Department had three smoke investigations, three structure fires, one vehicle fire, five medical assists and four vehicle accident assists. Four of the calls occurred within the Town limits of North Judson, eight within Wayne Township, one in Jackson Township, one in Rich Grove Township, and two mutual aid calls in San Pierre. 21,650 gallons of water was used in December.
The North Judson Town Board reorganized at its meeting on Monday night. Dan Anderson was retained as the Town Board President and Utility Superintendent, Cassandra Hines was appointed as the Town Attorney, Doug Vessely was retained as Town Marshal, and Steve Ransom was retained as the Building Inspector.
The new year brings new appointments to government Boards. Today, the Starke County Commissioners will appoint officers to the Starke Regular Drainage Board, Planning Commission, Kankakee Iroquois Regional Plan Commission, Health Board, Hospital Community Board, Alcoholic Beverage Board, City Plan Commission, Regional Workforce Board, Wage Commission, P.T.A.B.O.A. Board, Innkeepers Tax/Visitors Association Board, and Community Corrections Board. The Commissioners are likely to reorganize as well.
The North Judson Town Board received its 2011 budget order from the State. The Board had to cut $5,242 out of the Town’s Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund. The Town requested $9,000 and the State approved $3,758. The Fund is used for street repair and maintenance. The Town’s approved budget total is $767,964 for 2011.
At its Monday meeting, the North Judson Town Board approved the CKIN railroad’s request to purchase new railroad ties at a cost of $7,000. The volunteers plan to replace several ties in need of repair.
