WASHINGTON —
At Monday’s Washington City Council meeting, an ordinance was introduced to rescind the second installment of longevity pay for the mayor, common council and board of public works and safety.
The issue was raised at the June 11 meeting by Councilman Mike Singleton, who said he received $250 in longevity pay after serving only five months on the council. That amount is half what he’s slated to receive for the year, and Singleton said he doesn’t believe council members should receive longevity pay as part-time city officials when full-time city employees don’t receive longevity pay until they’ve been on the job five years. Singleton and Councilman Jim Greene both returned their $250 to the city.
Following the introduction of the ordinance, Councilman Eric Bassler expressed concern that the ordinance might violate Indiana statute, which states compensation may not be adjusted in the year it’s paid. Mayor Joe Wellman and city attorney Tim Dant will review the statute prior to the final reading of the ordinance.
Bids were opened for phase II of the owner-occupied housing grant project. Anderson Construction, Jeff Shelton Construction, Jeff Wright Home Improvement and USA Construction bid on some or all of the renovation projects. The bids were referred to the Board of Public Works and Safety, which later referred them to Southern Indiana Development Commission for review.
In his update, Mayor Wellman said there’s a voluntary water conservation effort in effect for the city. Water Superintendent Charlie Kane said current usage is what the department usually sees in August, so if there’s no relief soon, there could be a water shortage later. By beginning to conserve water now, any potential problem later in the summer could be avoided. Kane said he’s monitoring the city’s wells every other day and knows at what depth the city should become concerned.
The council voted to give Wellman authority to extend the conservation effort or to make it mandatory if necessary. The mayor and water superintendent suggested simply cutting back on water usage rather than eliminating usage. They also recommended watering plants during the cooler hours of the day so the moisture doesn’t immediately evaporate, and to do double-duty with water. For example, if a car must be washed, do it on the lawn, so the grass is watered at the same time.
Thanks were expressed to all community organizations involved in the July Fourth celebration and to city workers for enduring the extreme temperatures in their outdoor work.
The Board of Public Works and Safety approved Electric Department Head Randy Emmons’ recommendation to award a bucket truck bid to Altec Industries. Although the Altec bid of $125,480 was $622.27 more than the $124,857.73 bid of Andy Mohr Truck Center, the Mohr truck didn’t quite meet all requirements, according to Emmons. In addition, he said the department has Altec trucks currently, and the company’s performance and service is exemplary.
Local News
City Council discusses longevity pay
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Pike Central to hold graduation
Pike Central High School will hold its 38th commencement exercises at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the high school gymnasium.
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Closings for Memorial Day
The following are area closings for the Memorial Day holiday Monday:
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North Daviess still facing budget cuts
Members of the state legislature gave schools a two percent increase but North Daviess Community Schools Superintendent Robert Bell said the corporation will still get funding cuts over the next four years.
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Three injured in accident
Three persons were injured Thursday afternoon when a driver ran a red light on the U.S. 50 Bypass south of Washington at SR 257.
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Wrestlers for relay
The Team Todd Relay for Life team will be joining with Tri-State Wrestling to bring an event to the Old Petersburg Gym on Saturday. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with bell time at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 and children under 4 are free. All proceeds from the event go to the Daviess County Relay for Life Team Todd.
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Dollar General focuses on reading
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced an award of $7,800 to the Washington Carnegie Public Library to support the new adult literacy program being now being offered.
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Letters returned after 55 years
Fifty-five years ago Jerry Decker wrote letters back home to his sweetheart, Carol, from Camp Pendleton, California where he was based in the Marine Corps. Fifty-five years later, Jerry still had his letters from Carol. But Carol, now Jerry¹s wife of 52 years, had, well misplaced a few of hers.
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Police Report
CITY REPORT
Tuesday11:08 p.m. - A female caller reported a power outage on Old U.S. 50 W. Line crews responded, but were not able to restore electricity due to a faulty underground line. The line was fixed Wednesday.
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Shoals graduation set
Commencement exercises will be held in the gymnasium of the Shoals Junior-Senior High School at 2 p.m. Saturday for 36 candidates for graduation. The Junior-Senior High School Band, under the direction of Joel Weitkamp, will open the commencement program with the processional, followed by the national anthem.
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Area Briefs
Williams reunion on Sunday
The Nora and Beve Williams family reunion will be held at noon Sunday at Washington Eastside Park Pavilion. Bring a picnic lunch and any mementoes.
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