Tri County Harmonizers to perform at Holton
Sewer bills continue to mount at Holton
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

The regular Holton Town Council meeting was held on Wednesday, November 3, instead of Tuesday, November 2, due to the election.

At the meeting, the problem of severely delinquent sewer bills was discussed with an amount of nearly $3,000 for one customer being addressed. "We've got to do something and now. We've got a lot going out and not enough coming in," noted President Robert Furst.

The council agreed that they would file small claims against those with outstanding sewer bills and this would be discussed with their attorney, Larry Eaton, who was not able to attend the meeting.

The Tri County Harmonizers will be in concert at the Holton Community Center on December 3. The group will present a Christmas program and refreshments will be served. More is to be announced on the concert.

A plaque that used to hang in the old Holton School, was given to the town by Mike Stratton and restored by Steve Troxell, town employee. The plaque was presented and dedicated by the senior class of 1942-43 to the Holton High School, in honor of all those who were serving in World War II from Otter Creek Township. Another wing was added to the plaque with the senior class of 1945-46 sponsoring more names. Stars were by the names of those who had lost their lives during the war. Those names were: Wallace Kelch, Hester Gilley, Leslie Miller, Raymond Stratton, and Wayne Stevens.

The plaque will now hang in the new community center to honor those who have served.

Paving streets in the town was discussed with chip and seal bids of $691.00 for the park and $896.00 for street work being announced. The park bid would include the basketball court and re-striping. A bid from O'Mara Construction to widen and pave North Marion Street was for $23,375.00, with a total bid for streets in the town of $33,425 announced.

A quote was given for a vehicle for the town marshal. The vehicle discussed was a 2003 Dodge Durango, 4X4, fully equipped, with 16,459 miles on it. The asking price was $20,175 with the town receiving it for $17,300 with no sales tax, according to Furst.

Saying the car the marshal is driving is having serious mechanical problems, Furst said getting another vehicle will have to be addressed. The matter was tabled.

In other business:

· Commonwealth engineers have been contacted concerning a few items that need to be taken care of at the new community center. It was reported that they would get back with the town right away.

· Wilbur Myers, caretaker at the park, noted that new Christmas lights were needed to decorate at the park. He gave an update saying the water lines were drained for the winter, and the park has been closed.

· Town Marshal Billey Moore gave his report for the month of October. It included special detail for the Halloween Parade; 3 written warnings; 14 verbal warnings; 4 citations issued; 1 investigation; 1 arrest; 1 warrant served; and 1 assist to other departments. He also noted that as soon as he gets the fingerprint ink he will be able to take care of issuing gun permits.

· It was noted that 911 addresses should be posted on all residences.

· Kenny Hughes was contacted about numerous junk cars on his property and it was reported that he is working on the situation and will continue to do so.
· The town received numerous compliments on the new community building at the Halloween event that was held there on Friday, October 29. After the parade that began at the Methodist Church just west of the building, the children were given treats at the community center and prizes were given out. There were over 200 total at the first annual Halloween Parade, sponsored by the town.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the community building on Versailles Street. In attendance at the November meeting were Clerk-Treasurer Velma Stickelman, Council President Robert Furst, Rick Holman and Wilma Myers, council members, Billey Moore, marshal; Wilbur Myers, park caretaker, and Steve Troxell, town employee.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Steve Troxell, employee for the Town of Holton, stands beside the plaque that he restored. The plaque was formerly displayed at the Holton High School and honors those from the Otter Creek Township area who served in World War II. It will now hang in the new community building on Versailles Street for people to see. Many of the names on the plaque are now deceased. Five of the names had stars displayed beside them - they were the ones who gave their lives during the war.