Holton council finds a way to pay bills
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The regular meeting of the Holton Town Council was changed this month to Wednesday, May 5, due to primary election, rather than their usual Tuesday meeting night.

It was held in the sewer office located on Versailles Street with Robert Furst, president, Velma-Stickelman, clerk-treasurer, and council members Rick Holman and Wilma Myers in attendance. Wilbur Myers, park attendant, also was present, along with Shelba Wiley, who said she was just "an interested citizen."

"It's the first time we've ever been this low," announced Stickelman, who was referring to the towns' general fund. A negative balance was reported. She noted it was due to them not receiving tax money from the county yet and it was put
ting finances in a bad situation. It was decided to transfer $10,000 from the Motor Vehicle Fund to General Fund, with all members in favor.

It was further decided the marshal's request for a raise would be tabled. "There's no way we can give him a raise right now," noted Furst. It was announced that raises would not be considered for town employees for a year.

In other business:
· Heavy trash pick up was deemed a success;

· All members of the council will attend a leadership conference at Rising Sun;

· Patriotic decorations will be put up throughout the town before Memorial Day;

An open house will be held when the community center is completed. That will be announced at a later time, along with a list of fees to rent the facility.

A letter from CSX Transportation that was sent to the town was heard about the possibility of closing the rail line from Aurora to North Vernon, meaning Holton would no longer be having trains running through it. The board expressed concern that the clo
sure of the rail line would cost property taxpayers more, noting they would have to absorb the money the rail line now pays in taxes. It was noted the council would compose a letter expressing their views to CSX.

The next regular meeting of the Holton Town Council is set for June 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the sewer office.