Pictured, from left, are Claypool Town Council Member Don Miller and Council President Benny Stage Jr. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — The Claypool Town Council discussed town clean-up and heard an update about the town’s finances during an April 16 meeting.

Council continued its conversation from March about scheduling a large trash pick-up day for residents. Borden Waste-Away provided a quote for door-to-door pick-up services, with the rate being $700 per hour for a four-hour time frame. Council President Benny Stage Jr. said he would prefer the town utilize door-to-door services rather than provide large dumpsters due to past issues with non-residents using the dumpsters and people dumping specific items that cannot be collected.

Clerk-Treasurer Pat Warner said the earliest Borden’s would be able to do large trash pick-up is Saturday, June 22. Council approved that date for large trash pick-up.

The council also approved hiring LC Lawn Services LLC in order to help Town Superintendent Danny Warner with mowing in town. LC Lawn Services will mow out by the sewer plant and park areas at a rate of $289 and $115, respectively, on a weekly basis. The service also is willing to help with mowing work at Graceland Cemetery by request.

Council further discussed ongoing issues with residents leaving overflowing trash bins out next to the roadway all week long. Borden’s tips for homeowners listed on their website ask that all trash needing to be picked up fit into the cart with the lid closed.

Town Attorney Andrew Grossnickle said the town would need to have an ordinance in place regarding trash in order for fines and penalties to be implemented against residents.

In other business, the council heard from Tyler Coffel, a senior consultant at Baker Tilly, about the town’s funds. He recommended the town monitor its line item appropriations for 2024 in order to ensure funds are appropriated for items being purchased. Coffel noted Claypool’s core funds were 145% over budget for 2023.

“What this means is, when you get to the end of the year, you want to keep an eye on where those line item appropriations are at compared to the budget,” said Coffel.

Coffel also gave a sewer finance management report, stating finances were stable and fund balances improved over the last year. He predicted there would be a positive cash flow for the town’s sewer finances over the next five years.

Council also approved a resolution for transferring $19,301.08 in funds from the water utility sale to the town’s general fund to be used for updates to Claypool’s sewer system.

Grossnickle provided an update on electronic communications regarding council members attending meetings in a virtual manner. Recently, Council Member Gene Warner has not been able to attend meetings for personal reasons. Grossnickle said only one of Claypool’s three council members can attend virtually per meeting. The individual who attends virtually would also have to be visible to the public and available for two-way communication.

Council Member Don Miller said he wanted to give the topic more consideration before updating any resolution for council members attending meetings virtually.

The council also:

• Received binders containing town ordinances that Grossnickle has had available to him since he started working for the town.
• Thanked Danny for 29 years of service to the town.
• Heard from Danny about a flooding issue on South Main Street. Council said they would contact county officials to see if they could provide any assistance.
• Heard about Grossnickle’s recommendation to have a moment of silence following the Pledge of Allegiance instead of a council-led prayer. When he was first seated as a member, Miller inquired about the possibility of starting council meetings with prayer.

The council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Claypool Lions Club building.