From left, Council member Doug Jones, Council President Tom Moore, Council Vice-President Christina Archer. InkFreeNews photos by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG — At a town council meeting Monday, May 10, Street Commissioner Craig Charlton told council members that only one parking ordinance violation has been issued in the past month.

Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton

Two vehicles had been in violation of the abandoned vehicle ordinance, Charlton said, but one of those vehicles has since been removed.  A warning letter will be mailed to the owner of the rental property where the other vehicle in violation is located.

In October 2020, town officials made the decision to pursue legal action regarding nonpayment of violations after discovering that eight parking violations were issued for a vehicle on Van Buren Street and an additional four warning tags were issued for a vehicle for blocking a public right of way.

Next, council members discussed an issue with USIC Locating Services billing the town instead of the contractors who are contacting them.

Clerk-Treasurer Michael Searfoss said the town has had this issue before.

“That’s how they bill it,” Searfoss said. “Their call comes through 811 and they just bill whoever 811 has as a contact. They send the town (a bill) saying they came out and marked. They said they don’t have the software that defines who is making the call.”

Council President Tom Moore said he would like to investigate this matter with USIC and have the contractors billed directly.

Leesburg Council Vice-President Christina Archer

On another subject, Council Vice President Christina Archer said she wanted to remind residents that line-up for the Leesburg Memorial Day Parade is at 10:15 a.m. Monday, May 31, with the parade starting at 10:30 a.m.  The parade route is south on Pearl Street, then west on Prairie Street to the cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the cemetery following the parade. 

For questions about the parade or memorial service, contact Sue Charlton at (574) 453-3011; Craig Charlton at (574) 527-0721; or Christina Archer at (574) 453-4961. 

Town officials would like to remind residents of the following: There is no parking allowed on any street between 3-5 a.m. This is in effect seven days a week; No burning anything anytime; Please be mindful of what you flush in order to avoid sewer issues; Residents are to place yard waste in the town-provided trash tote; Large fallen tree limbs are chipped on Fridays; Sidewalks and trees are the property and responsibility of of residents; Speed limits in town are 25 MPH; and the Leesburg Street Department phone number is (574) 527-2884.

In other news: 

• An executive session will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, May 17, to discuss consideration of personnel regarding the traffic control situation in town. 
• Reduced sewer fees for churches, restaurants and bars will remain in place at this time.
• Searfoss will check into the possibility of obtaining a credit card to be used by Charlton for fuel purchases. 
• Randy Hartman donated a Leesburg High School band cap to the council to be placed in the town museum.  The cap was last worn in 1963.
• Derek Tenney of Tenney & Sons Inc. provided a monthly sanitary sewer report
• The next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. June 14.