Local news and ads from Avilla and LaOtto in Noble County, Indiana
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by Julie Scher
In a surprise move at its June 20 meeting, the Avilla town council voted to fire town employee Tom Vice and to demote utilities supervisor Don Papai. Bill Krock Jr. made the motions and Paul Shepherd seconded. Phil Puckett voted against both motions.
The board said it had held an executive session the week before to discuss both employees. Papai will keep his job with the town, moving to the water plant. The utility supervisor position will be advertised.
Council members gave no reason for the firing and demotion. Later in the meeting, Papai told the council he had intended to resign as supervisor and asked that the council take back it’s demotion vote. He said he’s running for a seat in the Indiana House and didn’t want the demotion vote to tarnish his name. Council voted to take back it’s motion, and accept Papai’s resignation as supervisor.
After the meeting, the NooZ asked council members why Vice was fired and was told it was a personnel issue, so they couldn’t comment. Vice had worked for the town for about seven years.
The NooZ asked about general employee policies of the town and learned that the town has no annual employee reviews. Bill Ley, town manager, said that supervisors have ample opportunity to correct employee behavior, without reviews. When problems occur, the department head first tries to correct the behavior. If that doesn’t work, the problem goes to the town council for suspension, probation, and/or termination of the employee, according to Ley.
The department head can suspend an employee, said town attorney Steve Hagen. Indiana is an “at-will” employer state, meaning that any employee may be fired at any time, without cause or reason. “An employee can be fired if they part their hair differently,” he said. Hagen added that the police and fire departments personnel have different regulations than other employees.
Vice had been on suspension with pay since Tuesday, June 18.
A large crowd attended the council meeting, but no one spoke up during the open forum part of the meeting, and the council adjourned the meeting quickly.
The NooZ has heard two sides of the stories surrounding the firing and demotion, but is unable to verify any of the accusations, so will not print them. Vice told the NooZ he has hired an attorney, but has not decided what to do yet.
Town planning grant
In other business, Ley said the process for applying for an economic development strategic plan grant from the state is proceeding. The state has given the town approval to move ahead with the grant application. The study will look at ways the town can retain businesses and attract new businesses “It will help us keep up with the times,” Ley said.
The town’s study, Ley said, will include the entire town, and also include public comment.
The Avilla Chamber of Commerce is looking into a study grant for the downtown by Ball State University graduate students. That effort has stalled in negotiations over price. Estimates of the cost ranged from $5,000-10,000. At a May 27 meeting, a steering committee of local citizens was formed to support a study, whether it’s the town’s study or the Chamber’s, or both.
Watch the NooZ for more information about this continuing story.
Street repairs
Avilla’s streets are being repaired after the sewer work done earlier this year. Main Street and Ley Street have smooth surfaces once again.
The council voted to hire a company to paint lines on the streets and curbs at a cost of $4,354. A town employee used to paint the streets and curbs.
Trapping town pests
Marshal Glen Wills said the town has live traps that will get rid of pests in people’s yards, but the traps cannot be used inside homes or buildings. If homeowners have problems with those inside pests, they should call an exterminator.
Red Cross office lease
Nancy Fischer, town clerk-treasurer, reported on the proposed lease of an office in the town hall basement to the Red Cross representative in Noble County. The lease would also include use of the community building for classes. Fischer reported that the Red Cross office sign would not be attached to the town hall building, but rather be a yard sign, like those used for elections. Signs would be placed at town hall and at the community building, in the yard.
The council took no action on the lease request.
Electric utility increase
Council members again talked about the I&M payment of $116,919 that’s due in a lump sum or monthly payments. The town is on a kind of budget plan, and at the end of the year, has to pay the difference between what it had paid I&M during the year, and what the actual cost of electricity was to the town’s utility.
A monthly payment would result in $27,000 in interest payments at 6.25%.
The market price for electricity is 60-80% higher than what the town pays with its contract.
The council has to decide whether to pass the cost of the payment on to customers or not, and how to do that.
Shepherd said he was displeased that the town’s utility consultant, Umbaugh and Associates, had gotten the town the paperwork on the issue late, without much time to look it over before the meeting. He added that the town might look for a different company, if it continues.
“You’ll dig yourself a hole if you keep paying this from reserves,” said Shepherd.
If the town passes on the increase to customers, it would cost an extra $2.09 a month for customers using 700 kwt. A lump sum payment would cost customers $2.04.
The council agreed to pay the $116,919 in a lump sum. At its July meeting, on July 23 (new date), the council will decide if the payment will come from reserves, or be passed on to customers.
Board meets again on Wednesday, July 23, 7 p.m. in town hall.
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