Akron Planners On Hold

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By ROSA HATFIELD, Times-Union Correspondent-

AKRON - Akron residents will have to wait at least one more month for the establishment of a plan commission. The seven residents named to the commission will also wait to discover whether they are to remain in their positions.

On Sept. 17, council president Phil Allen officially appointed Bob Allen, John Weida, Richard Solano, Mary Gearhart, Roger Gearhart and Jean Conner to the commission. Since that time, Eva Hartman's name has been added to the list. Donna Loer and Mike Summe were appointed by the county commissioners to represent the two-mile buffer zone.

Earlier this month, Roger Geahart questioned whether Allen could legally make those appointments without a vote by the full council Attorney Wane Steele said Tuesday that while it might be better in a small town to go with a selection process involving more people, Allen followed the letter of the statute.

Allen said in making the appointments, he looked for people who have shown a genuine interest in the development of the community as well as knowledge and experience in community affairs.

The council tabled the issue until the Nov. 19 meeting and canceled Thursday's organizational meeting of the plan commission.

In other business, the council asked Steele to investigate the required procedure for changing water rates. Since 1991, residents have been charged $3.55 per 1,000 gallons of water instead of the $3.05 stated in the municipal code book.

The council also:

jj Approved the purchase of a Sigma 950 flow meter at a cost of $6,522, including installation, to meet IDEM requirements.

jj Agreed to a request from Tom Holloway to provide more off-street parking for Akron residents and retail customers.

jj Tabled a decision on extending Rural Street. Max Melching donated 2.2 acres to the town in 1991 for a future well field on the condition that the street be extended. Money was encumbered for that purpose but the project was never done.

jj Announced the town will have one meeting per month instead of two until further notice. Council will meet at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in the town hall. [[In-content Ad]]

AKRON - Akron residents will have to wait at least one more month for the establishment of a plan commission. The seven residents named to the commission will also wait to discover whether they are to remain in their positions.

On Sept. 17, council president Phil Allen officially appointed Bob Allen, John Weida, Richard Solano, Mary Gearhart, Roger Gearhart and Jean Conner to the commission. Since that time, Eva Hartman's name has been added to the list. Donna Loer and Mike Summe were appointed by the county commissioners to represent the two-mile buffer zone.

Earlier this month, Roger Geahart questioned whether Allen could legally make those appointments without a vote by the full council Attorney Wane Steele said Tuesday that while it might be better in a small town to go with a selection process involving more people, Allen followed the letter of the statute.

Allen said in making the appointments, he looked for people who have shown a genuine interest in the development of the community as well as knowledge and experience in community affairs.

The council tabled the issue until the Nov. 19 meeting and canceled Thursday's organizational meeting of the plan commission.

In other business, the council asked Steele to investigate the required procedure for changing water rates. Since 1991, residents have been charged $3.55 per 1,000 gallons of water instead of the $3.05 stated in the municipal code book.

The council also:

jj Approved the purchase of a Sigma 950 flow meter at a cost of $6,522, including installation, to meet IDEM requirements.

jj Agreed to a request from Tom Holloway to provide more off-street parking for Akron residents and retail customers.

jj Tabled a decision on extending Rural Street. Max Melching donated 2.2 acres to the town in 1991 for a future well field on the condition that the street be extended. Money was encumbered for that purpose but the project was never done.

jj Announced the town will have one meeting per month instead of two until further notice. Council will meet at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in the town hall. [[In-content Ad]]

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