CLAYPOOL — No topic was more lively during Claypool’s Town Council Meeting Monday evening, Nov. 16 than parking on South Main Street.

Liz and Bev Heiman came before the council to address the town’s parking ordinance, and to put forth complaints about parking restrictions. The ordinance states vehicles cannot park on the roadway of South Main Street between 4-6 a.m. from Nov. 1 until April 1 so snow plows can get through.

The Heimans thought they had received parking spaces for their apartment building at 102 S. Main St., yet over the past few weeks, residents have been told by police officers to move their car around 11 p.m. “We need eight parking spaces for residents and occasional visitors,” Bev Heiman said. “We are not violating any ordinance here. Why is the town marshal telling residents to park across the street?”

In addition, Liz Heiman pleaded with the council to amend the parking ordinance so her residents do not have to move their cars at 3:45 a.m. every morning. However, Council President Niki Miller insisted the town’s safety and the passage of motor vehicles impeded any attempt to change the ordinance. “Last year there was a pile of snow in the middle of the street, because people did not move for snow plows. If that happens, emergency vehicles cannot get through,” Miller said.

Water Superintendent Gene Warner insisted “we have the best plowed streets in the county. This is for the safety of the community.”

After much debate between Heimans, department heads and council, it was decided to grant Heimans four spots in front of the apartment building. The ordinance regarding parking between 4-6 a.m. will be discussed further at future meetings.

Miller also welcomed Liz Heiman, as she will become a council member as of Jan. 1, saying “Welcome aboard, Liz.”

Because of necessary budget cuts, appropriation reductions were passed. Funds seeing reductions included $5,000 in general; $2,647 in rainy day, $7000 in local roads and streets, $11,500 in motor vehicle highway and $3,000 in cumulative capital improvement.

Also passed was the holiday ordinance and only one difference has been made. Instead of Presidents’ Day, the town will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Town employees will receive paid holidays for New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Good Friday, Primary Election Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, General Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Holiday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In other business:

• The salary ordinance was tabled. “I wanted to be able to talk to a state auditor before we make any decisions,” Miller said.
• An invoice for Reed and Earhart, totaling $1,039, was approved, for Thomas Earhart’s two months of service as town attorney. Earhart will be retiring at the end of the year, but said “It has been an absolute pleasure being the town attorney.”
• A bill for the maintenance of monitors in police cars was approved for $500.
• Approved the $1,111.86 election bill to come out of the legal fund.
• Approved the continuation of the health and life insurance plan for 2016.