CLAYPOOL – Town council held a public hearing Wednesday for the 2015 budget, an estimated total of $223,750. The budget includes $166,219 in the general fund, $31,028 in motor vehicle highway and $16,739 in local roads and streets. Council will vote on the budget during next month’s meeting. The budget reflects an estimated 10 percent drop in net assessed value, according to the town’s filing with the county. As with many towns seeing a drop this year, the thinner margins are forcing council to weigh wants against needs. Members discussed Wednesday the feasibility of street repaving after already approving the purchase of two new snow plow blades for a total of $12,000. “Funding is kind of the bottom line, obviously,” council member Don Miller said as council discussed a list of possible repaving locations. “I think Main Street would probably be a good venture; I’m not sure about going to the extent on some of these.” Council also approved replacement laptop and upgraded software purchases for the clerk’s office and police department, though the exact cost won’t be certain until they receive updated quotes. And council set an executive session for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to discuss a resident’s complaints against Clerk-Treasurer Connie Morgan. Resident Beth Brewer told council she considers it “harassment, terrorism and intimidation,” as well as a violation of her “personal public property” when Morgan places a card on her vehicle reminding her that parking in the wrong direction is illegal. Also during the meeting, members heard: • The mobile food pantry will make its last visit of the year Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. • Trick-or-treat hours are Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. • The new trash schedule with Monday pickup will begin next week, after the last Friday pickup this week. • The new townwide 25 mph speed limit takes effect as soon as the new signs go up, which is expected this week. “Be ready. Practice. I’ve been practicing all month,” council President Niki Miller remarked.
