CLAYPOOL — It was a short meeting as the Claypool town council met in regular session Monday evening, Feb. 15, in the Claypool Lions Club building.

Board President Nikki Miller announced that clerk-treasurer Beth Brewer will resign her position effective March 1 due to health concerns. The council will meet with the Indiana State Board of Accounts to find out what the next step should be in this situation.

In the meantime, the position will be kept vacant and the phones will be monitored for messages. Bills will also go out as usual, Miller said.

“The town will continue operating as it is,” Miller said.

She added that new laws have been passed in Indiana, allowing a few new options.

Once Miller has heard from the state board of accounts on their recommendation, the council will meet in executive session to discuss options and will then hold a special session for the public.

Though unrelated, Miller noted that a few changes will be made to the procedure for public comments during meetings. Members of the public who wish to comment during meetings are asked to contact the town clerk’s office and leave a message on the answering machine.

There will no longer be an open forum for public discussion during council meetings. Those wishing to comment are still asked to limit their comments to two minutes.

The deadline to secure a spot on the board agenda is the Thursday before the desired meeting. Miller stressed the importance of leaving a message, as there is currently no one at the clerk’s office answering phones.

Local resident Kelly Coburn brought up concerns with a ditch near the railroad crossing on South Main Street, which he feels is dangerous, especially when roads are slick. Coburn expressed frustration and asked what needs to be done to get the town to act.

Both Miller and board member Larry Neher responded that the issue is on railroad property, so it is technically something that needs to be brought up with the railroad company, not the town of Claypool.

“So, if somebody gets hurt, they sue the railroad,” Coburn commented, to which town attorney John Barrett responded that threats of a lawsuit probably will not do much to sway the company one way or another, as they are likely heavily insured.

“It’s not going to be any money out of the railroad’s picket, even if somebody does die,” Barrett said.

Other News

The board approved the 2016 fire protection agreement in the amount of $10,000. Nothing has changed from last year.

The board approved paying Dixon Engineering $1,800 for improvements to the water tower.

They also voted to renew the town’s annual software license through Keystone for $5,280. The software is used for things like payroll, billing and other items.

Town Marshal Lou Mediano asked for approval to attend an instructor development course through the Indiana Marshals Association. Normally a $300 course, the training will not cost anything, as the department is a member of the association. Mediano asked for three days and two nights, May 16-20.