CLAYPOOL — The Claypool Town Council started off with a small hiccup as the meeting was almost cancelled due to the board not having the proper paperwork completed to be sworn into office.

Previous Clerk/Treasurer and Notary Connie Morgan saved the meeting when she swore in the president, Niki Miller, and two other council members: Larry Nehar (south district) and Liz Heiman (central district). There is no vice-president.

The meeting opened with Jerry Creekmore asking for a permit to make the property of 305 Clay St. into living quarters. He stated he had the condemnation lifted from the property and just needed a letter from the board with permission to continue. The board approved this and stated Creekmore will have his letter in a couple of days.

Next was John Magsam, senior engineer, Jones and Henry Engineers Ltd. He submitted a written progress report to the Compliance Data Section of Water Quality to schedule compliance of the elimination of ammonia-nitrogen for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System that has to be updated every five years.

The last order of business before public comments opened was an approved motion to pay invoices from Reed and Earhart for the amount of $465 and $275 to cover utility and budget programs for the disaster and recovery plan of 2016.

Public comments opened with the speaking time of two minutes.

Kelly Coburn asked the board why there has been no headway in the completion of the employee handbook. Coburn stated this handbook would hold the department heads of Claypool public works accountable or reprimanded or, as Coburn stated, “To make them move faster.”

Miller said the handbook was done and just needed approval.

The council recognized Dave Morgan, owner of Red’s Sweets, who thanked the council for all the hard work they do for the community. He said, “It’s very important that you guys all know that.”

The board then recognized Morgan’s wife, Connie, the previous clerk/treasurer, who asked what the council’s goals are for the town this year.

The board members all stated they would like to see the empty houses in town filled with new residents and people getting to know their neighbors and be willing to help out when necessary.

The meeting ended with Morgan presenting a letter to the council. The council didn’t acknowledge the letter to the public that was present. The letter contains a disagreement that Morgan had with the new clerk/treasurer, Beth Brewer. The letter is attached here.

The council has called for an executive meeting 4 p.m. Thursday Jan. 21. This meeting is closed to the public.

The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15.