Pictured during a discussion at the Burket Town Council meeting, from left are Council members Lena Ball, Bill Rayburn and Debra Deniston and Street Superintendent Brad Bibler. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

BURKET — Burket Town Council heard an update Thursday about emergency generators at the Burket Fire Department and the Burket Fireman’s Training Center.

Fire Chief Kevin McSherry said the fire department was looking at one grant from K21 Health Foundation for an emergency generator for the fire station. The foundation tabled the request and the fire department was asked to fill out an application for a grant for the emergency generator for the Burket Fireman’s Training Center as well.

McSherry said he initially tried to do one generator for the two buildings, but they are two separate properties. McSherry said he filled out both applications and they were awarded both.

McSherry said there is a commitment of money. The Burket Fire Department will have to pay $2,600 and the town will have to pay $2,000.

Council President Bill Rayburn said the town’s $2,000 will have to come out of the 2024 budget.

McSherry said cost for both generators is $26,000. The goal is to create a storm shelter.

McSherry said a signature from a town board member was needed in order for K21 to make a down payment for M & D Electrical Solutions LLC, Pierceton, for the generators. Rayburn said he believed McSherry reached out to Councilwoman Lena Ball for that.

Rayburn asked about the service contract. McSherry said the first few years, he believed three years, were free and were included in the purchase price.

The council also heard an update on an unnamed resident who was piling items in town to possibly burn and possibly on railroad property.

Resident Marvin McClone approached the council in November regarding the pile and the town’s one-time burn permit.

Rayburn said he and Ball went over to the property after November’s meeting and Rayburn said he saw some pallets in the pile. He said he told the resident the pallets had to be removed and the pile had to be moved from railroad property.

Rayburn also said the resident was told he would not get a burn permit from the council if he tried to burn the pile as it was.

Since then, Rayburn said the pallets have been removed and the pile has moved a little bit and has not grown. Rayburn said he will keep an eye on the situation.

McClone said he still thinks the pile is a danger and pointed out there are other piles in town.

He said he didn’t think the one-time burn ordinance wasn’t a very thought-out idea. Rayburn said the idea behind the ordinance was to help residents get rid of limbs and leaves after a storm.

McClone said there may be some liability onto the town. McSherry also said he didn’t know what liability the ordinance will throw back on the town.

McClone suggested the council have Austin Rovenstine, who the town uses as town attorney when needed, look at the ordinance. Rayburn he could run the ordinance past Rovenstine.

In other business, the council heard an update about the railroad crossing at Walnut Street. Street Superintendent Brad Bibler said he has called the railroad company to get the crossing fixed. Ball said she also called the railroad company. Rayburn said he was able to talk to a worker doing some work on railroad property and has tried to get the work done that way.