MINUTES
PALESTINE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
August 2, 2007

The Palestine Board of Trustees met in regular session on August 2, 2007, at 6:00 PM. Trustees answering the roll call were Gene Purcell, Greta Dennison, David Branson, Walter Fritchie, Larry Surrells, and J.D. Kimberlin.

Margaret Littlejohn was also present.

Visitors present were Bob Taylor, Bob and Beulah Bowen, Dee Fulling, Lamara Schultz, David Matteson, Christy Skaggs, and Len Daugherty.

The meeting began with all in attendance reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved by consensus.

OLD BUSINESS

Mayor Schofield announced that the one-day appliance pickup scheduled for July 14 went well with a lot of scrap collected.

David Branson, Chairman of the Sewer Committee, reported that the materials needed for the sewer system upgrade is scheduled for delivery in October. The initial lease payment of $1309.89 has been made to secure the lease. No other payments will be made until the materials have been delivered.

The Wabash Valley Wine & Arts Festival committee is hosting and sponsoring this falls’ festival. Approval has already been given for the event.

NEW BUSINESS

The 2007 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance was presented for approval. Gene Purcell moved, seconded by Larry Surrells, that the Ordinance be approved. Motion carried unanimously.

The Tax Rate Ordinance is not ready for authorization yet because the state has not released the rate structure.

David Matteson spoke to the Board on two issues.
1. He was concerned that using the two vacant lots for a park should instead have been held as available for another business to build and locate there.
2. Donations should not be made from Village funds.

The Board response was
1. That the lots in question had been available for six years and no one had been interested in them.
2. The Board has reluctantly made donations and will consider not making more.

Beulah Bowen gave an update on the Main Street Park.
1. Main Street has been placed on the Historical Registry, which dictates how new building look and are decorated.
2. Concrete and fence will be placed on the lot this fall.
3. A grant from Preserve America has been written with funds approved.
4. Plans are to have a farmers market at the Main Street Park next summer.

Len Daugherty spoke to the Board regarding a memorial for Jacob Tracy and others who have died in combat. He presented several ideas.

The Board agreed with the ideas and requested that Len follow up with other organizations to get the project started.

The skunk problem in the downtown area has apparently been resolved for now. Three successful trappings were made at a charge of $100 total. James Butler of the USDA Wildlife Management Service did this.

Waste Management has merged with Violia Waste. Viola has mistakenly charged a gas surcharge and an administrative fee in violation of Waste Managements original contract. These fees will be credited on the next billing.

Clerk Floyd Fuller suggests we move some money from the General Fund to a CD if an appropriate rate can be secured. Bob Bowen suggest getting bids. The Board was in agreement to the suggestion.

A bid for a 48” X 40” Forklift Work Platform has been received for a cost of $505.51 to be used with our tractor front end loader. David Branson moved, seconded by Greta Dennison, to accept the bid. Motion passed unanimously. David Branson then brought up the need for safety harness for those working on the platform. This will be investigated.

Persons from the Rain Forrest Project will be coming next meeting.

We will be spaying for mosquitos in Hutsonville on a weekly basis, Oblong twice and Flat Rock as needed

Steve Fulling has been contracted to spray the weeds around the lagoon. The DPW work schedule has been too heavy for them to perform this work..

Adam Moraga has been contracted to paint the curbs and street lines before the Labor Day Celebration as the DPW work schedule has been too heavy for them to perform this work.

Walter Fritchie will be in charge of opening the Pioneer Room for the Month of August.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Floyd Fuller, Budget Committee Chairman, reported that the Sewer Expense report included the first payment on the Sewer Upgrade and we still had a small profit for the month.

Chief Jim Clark presented a written report on police activities for the past month.

Larry Surrells, Streets, Sidewalks, and Alleys Committee Chairman, reported that several drainage projects had been completed and that the Chip and Seal will begin this month.

By consensus the meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM.

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President              Village Clerk