CLAYPOOL – Even at a cost of $1,500, new lien filing software would pay for itself if the town collected on just one delinquent property, Claypool Town Council heard Monday. Council members approved the Keystone software purchase and training at the request of Clerk-Treasurer Connie Morgan, who noted there are five residences in town that are potential for liens. All have had their water shut off, but are still using town sewer services. Some residences have not paid since 2009, she said. Council member Don Miller observed that the last time Claypool looked at liens, they had to write off about $30,000 in delinquencies. “There hasn’t been a lien for a long time,” he observed. Also during the meeting, the council approved a 2013 contract with Multi-Township EMS. The contract calls for a Claypool contribution of $2,528.75, payable in two installments. Town officials remarked that the requested contribution was closer to $1,000 five or six years ago. Councilman Tom Burnworth questioned the contract, asking why the town should be charged when EMS patients are also charged for service. Town attorney Mike Reed observed that such fees don’t cover all of M-TEMS’ expenses. He added that other member towns contribute multiple times what is requested of Claypool, though he said it’s not based on population. “Frankly, it’s haphazard. Some pay more, some pay less,” Reed told council. He added that, like fire protection, EMS is “kind of a basic service the town has to provide.” Council members briefly discussed other EMS services in the region, but Town Marshal Lou Mediano said M-TEMS stations are the best positioned. “As far as response time, I think we’ll be a lot better off with Multi-Township,” he said. Mediano, who recently finished several months of police training, said he has begun looking at applications for reserve officers. He said he would like to have three reserves hired by summer, who would be working positions of up to 24 hours a week. And the council heard at the outset of the meeting that there is another vacancy on the park board. Anyone interested can contact Morgan in the town office.
