By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

BURKET – The town of Burket has a new street superintendent, but is down a council member.

During Thursday’s, Sept. 15, town council meeting, Council President Bill Rayburn announced Cindy Warstler resigned from her position on the council. Rayburn said Warstler has been on the council for three or four years.

He said the council has 30 days to find a new council member. The council said they are to follow the same rules as when they found a new clerk-treasurer, where they can appoint a replacement. He said they will post something at the post office.

Resident Vicki Scott asked what qualifications the council themselves were possibly looking at that would make a good council member.

Rayburn said the first one is the person has to live in the town of Burket, as there is no way around that requirement.

Also, it helps if the person has a sincere desire to make the town better and be a team player. Council member Lena Ball said it helps if the person is respectful, as well.

Also during the meeting, the council voted on a new street superintendent and Clerk-Treasurer Katina Webb had to break a tie.

Former Street Superintendent James Marshall stepped down from the position effective June 30.

During August’s meeting, the council talked to three people interested in filling the position: Brad Bibler, Gary Wagoner and David Webb. In August, the council tabled the decision.

Thursday, Rayburn voted for Bibler.

Ball said all three men were very qualified for the position and it was a tough decision to make. She ended up voting for Wagoner, who was not at the meeting.

Rayburn said if there wasn’t a tie-breaking council member, normally the tie-breaking vote would fall onto the clerk-treasurer. There was a possible conflict of interest if all three men were on the table since Katina Webb is married to David Webb. However, since neither Rayburn nor Ball voted for David Webb, Rayburn said it wasn’t going to be an issue.

Scott asked if Katina Webb could possibly think about it and talk to Wagoner and Bibler again. Rayburn said another option, if they didn’t want to go that route, was for the council to table the decision and vote on a new street superintendent after they got a third council member.

Katina’s vote went for Bibler due to his experience.

During August’s meeting, Bibler said he works for SDS Communications, has done work for the city of Warsaw and currently mows five yards in town.

Rayburn congratulated Bibler and said he has a list for him and they’ll get him caught up on everything.

Later in the meeting, Scott asked about a possible ordinance that was discussed during August’s meeting where elderly people could possibly get their driveways plowed after the streets were plowed if needed.

She asked what the council defined as elderly and she also added there’s disabled people as well and what the council defined as disabled. Her thought was the ordinance could possibly open a can of worms for the town.

Rayburn said those are things the council will have to go over with attorney Austin Rovenstine, who the town uses as its attorney when needed. He also said the streets will be prioritized before anything else.

In other business, the council:

• Heard Rayburn said the streets are marked for paving. He believes Phend & Brown are making their way toward Burket after finishing paving in Mentone.
• Discussed leaf burning in town. Rayburn said Burket does allow burning, but people couldn’t do it right next to the street. It is believed people have to be 6 feet away from the street.

Rayburn said a newsletter will be sent out that will include several things, including information about leaf burning.