CLAYPOOL – At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Claypool Town Council approved three ordinances regarding a tax impact fund, residential housing specifications and a utility purchase agreement.
The Council opened a public hearing for the first ordinance, which establishes a cumulative capital development (CCD) fund. Council President Benny Stage Jr. said the tax impact fund will garner about $6,000 per year, which can be used toward anything for town business.
Over a three-year period, the tax impact is not to exceed 0.0167% in 2023, 0.0333% in 2024 and 0.05% in 2025. Following a closure of the public hearing, the CCD was approved.
The Council approved an ordinance asserting the ability for Claypool, which owns and operates its own water utility, to pursue the sale of that asset to Indiana American Water Company (IAWC). Negotiations are still underway with IAWC.
Another ordinance regarding specification requirements on residential homes was approved. Within the Claypool town limits, unless within a specified mobile home park, modular homes are permitted but mobile homes are not.
In old business, Stage asked that the town begin contributing 3% of town employees’ salaries to a Hoosier START retirement plan.
Town Marshal Ben Sanders said Norfolk Southern will be replacing 1,100 feet of rails from CR 200 West to the Y crossing at the center of town. Intermittent closings will occur at various railroad crossings, and Sanders said the town has no control over these closings.
Sanders said the department is investigating acts of criminal mischief in town. Any suspicious damage to homes, windows or vehicles should be reported to the Claypool Police Department.
The CPD now has a drug dropbox, located inside the department and available for residents’ disposal of expired or unneeded medications.
Also:
• Grave decorations in Graceland Cemetery should be removed by April 1 and replaced starting May 1.
• Council members are looking into the development of a website for the town of Claypool.
• An administrative meeting to discuss annexation procedures was set for March 22 at 11:30 a.m.
The Council will next meet at 7 p.m. April 19.
