Bourbon Lauds Outgoing Councilman For 22-Year Service
Posted
Carol Anders-
BOURBON – The Bourbon Town Council shared its appreciation for the service of outgoing member Larry Wattenbarger during the last meeting of the year Tuesday.
Wattenbarger has been on the council for the last 22 years.
P.J. Hanley, council president, thanked Wattenbarger for his contributions over the years. Wattenbarger expressed his gratitude to several department heads, town clerk-treasurer Kim Berger, attorney Tony Wagner and others.
Wagner presented a draft of a contract between the town and Habitat for Humanity for the purchase of lots at 308 E. Center St. The council had been negotiating with the organization for several months.
Wagner said Habitat can’t sell the property for profit and must use the option to build homes on the property. Habitat is expected to break ground for homes in the spring. Wagner said he would draft a final document after making sure the contract includes all the necessary language to satisfy the grant that is being used for the project.
Bill Keyser, zoning department, was named the town’s agent for the advertising and sell of a two-parcel property at 806 N. Main St. The house that had been on the property has been demolished.
Emily Stichter, representing Next Generation 3, requested the use of the Matchette Center on Jan. 12 for NG3’s winter kickoff meeting. NG3 serves to facilitate character development and small group mentoring in local schools. The “3” represents character development, community service and positive change.
Special speaker for the event will be Triton High School graduate Todd Blackford.
The council voted unanimously to allow the group to use the facility at no cost. An audience member volunteered to pay the usual $50 cleaning fee.
Kim Berger was reappointed to the tourism board. She has served in that capacity for almost eight years. Keyser was reappointed to the Marshall County Unsafe Building Committee.
Berger told the council that the annual Christmas decorating contest will be judged at 7 p.m. Dec. 19. In years past, those wanting to be judged would register on their own to be included. According to Berger, those wanting to be included can still register themselves and the town is accepting nominations from the public. Berger said they have six registrations and will continue to take registrations until 3 p.m. Dec. 19.
Council members voted 3-0 in favor of Ordinance 2019-6 that raises trash/recycling fees from $14.82 to $15.04 as of Jan. 1. The unanimous vote on Salary Ordinance 2019-7 will mean an increase in contributions from town employees on the insurance plan. Employees will now pay $20, $30 or $40 per pay period, according to which plan they chose.
There was a short discussion concerning the need to replace 625 water meters throughout the town. The current meters were installed 10 years ago. It was noted that a final decision has not been made and would be addressed after the first of the year.
