LEESBURG — Leesburg Town Council was business as usual during its monthly meeting held Monday evening, Jan. 11.

The council opened the meeting by approving last month’s minutes and this month’s agenda, and re-elected board President Doug Jones and board Vice President Tom Moore. Both men were nominated for re-election by other board members.

The street department recently purchased the equipment necessary to replace a webbing mechanism in the salt and sand dispenser, saving the department a significant amount of money by doing the repairs on their own.

Derek Tenney provided an update on the sanitary sewer system, noting out of three pumps that went down in the past month, one still had his crew puzzled. According to Tenney, his crew received a call about a customer receiving an electrical shock while showering. Tenney said it is a very rare occurrence for this to be possible, but he is still working with his team to determine the cause. He replaced the pump and plugin.

The board also discussed the possibility of trading in their current Bobcat machine for one that offers an enclosed cab and additional options for attachments. Currently, the machine the street department uses for street sweeping and moving large amounts of snow has an open cab, often leaving the operator cold and muddy. “I’m in favor of making a trade if we can afford it,” said Moore. The board is waiting to hear an official dollar amount from Polk Equipment.

Nick Deeter, owner of Old Leesburg Mill, presented the board with an official letter of request to lower the business sewer rates to the minimum requirement. The business closed to customers Dec. 24, and the board saw no reason why he should be charged any additional above the $73 monthly rate. “As long as I still own it, we can keep the recycling there,” said Deeter. The board members expressed appreciation for the offer and also noted they would be sad to see him go.

Deeter offered the board several old photographs to scan or make copies of to add to the history of the town and the building the business resides in.

He thanked the board, adding “it was a constant regulatory hassle. Between Homeland Security, which I didn’t even know existed, and the IRS… but, I think a lot of that is supporting the second amendment issues, supporting Republican candidates… it was just targeted as a conservative business that should be out of business.”

He continued on to say the town of Leesburg is wonderful and he hopes to be able to repurpose the building.

The board reminded the public there is to be no burning of any kind at any time, and to keep clear of marked no parking zones. Jones thanked the Leesburg Fire Department for the displaying and removal of the Christmas ornaments during the holiday season.