Holton meeting days change
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Holton Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 1, at the Community Building.

Council members decided to change the meeting date from the first Tuesday of the month to the second Tuesday of each month. The time would remain the same, at 8:00 a.m. This decision was made due to not being able to get all of the claims signed when the date falls as it did this month, on the very first day of the month.

Discussion of open burning in the town's limits was had with the town's attorney Larry Eaton saying the issue was "mostly a common sense approach," and that the town had carried that out. Those wanting to burn brush or wood to clean up around a property will need to seek permission from the town council before doing so. Trash is prohibited period.

Eaton noted that sometimes burning gets out of hand because people want to burn items that cause respiratory problems for neighbors. That's why the council should be notified first and then common sense should be exercised.

Discussion was held on whether or not the town council has the right to install signs throughout the town, such as no parking in front of the fire department and police station, stop signs and so forth.

Eaton noted that the town was within the scope of the law as long as the changes were approved in the minutes of town meetings. Furst noted that he had gone through the minutes back to 1993 and any changes were recorded.

It was decided that Clerk-Treasurer Velma Stickelman would give a print out of delinquent sewer accounts to Eaton and he would begin to process paperwork to have small claims filed against these accounts. Anyone with a bill over $300 in arrears will be filed against in small claims court.

President Bob Furst noted that he
and Billey Moore, town marshal, attended a meeting concerning FEMA emergency funds. He reported that he thought the town was eligible for some money for hours spent cleaning up the snow, and would also be able to get some reimbursement for materials.

Stickelman noted that not all the money was in from the county for last year.

In the police report, Moore said that he had received a new radio from local EMA. He said the new radios that were in use now were not able to be picked up by scanners, and they were a lot better than his previous car radio. He said the communication between officers was much better with the new equipment.

Moore reported that he had applied for grants for a computer, car cam and portable breathalyzer unit.

Furst noted that he believes anything connected with law enforcement and fire protection should take top priority to ensure residents' safety. The meeting ended with the council saying they were appreciative of the job Moore is doing as the town marshal and they would do what they could to see that he has the proper equipment to do his job.

Council member Rick Holman was not able to be in attendance at the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Holton Town Council is set for March 8, at 8:00 a.m. at the Community Building on Versailles Street.