Published: November 04, 2008 11:46 pm      

Catlin discusses new water meters

CATLIN — Village Commissioner David Biggerstaff, informed the village council Tuesday night about a new meter reading system that would be more efficient.

Biggerstaff told commissioners that it probably would not be this year but maybe next before the system could be put in place. This meter would be able to take a reading with a touch of a wand and it would be downloaded to a computer for quicker and easier access.

¡§Many villages are already using this system,¡¨ he said. ¡§At the present time, there are four employees to read the meters and one who records the information on to the computer. The cost for the present employees is $2,400 per month or $31,200 per year. The new system would allow for part time employees and save the village thousands of dollars. The new system is estimated to cost $65,000 but would pay for itself in three years.¡¨

In other business, commissioners:

ƒÞ Heard from Commissioner Thomas Taylor that a new, permanent nine-foot Blue Spruce will be planted in front of the village hall sometime this week.

¡§The committee is working well together for the upcoming Christmas tree Lighting event,¡¨ he said. ¡§We will have a choir, a tent and other activities.¡¨

The Christmas tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 30.

ƒÞ Learned from Commissioner Rick Brown that a house on Coronado Street was sent a letter from the city to mow their yard and clean up stuff. Some of this has been done, but still not in compliance. Also, the owners of the house on Mae Street have been notified.

ƒÞ Heard Commissioner Jim Miller state that he talked to Martin Lipa, owner of a Catlin subdivision, about putting sidewalks in front of house and driveway. Lipa was only planning to put sidewalks in front of the houses. Mayor Clayton Woodard told board that the village attorney will be looking into the matter.

ƒÞ Will go ahead with a free Illini FS gas tank. The company will let the village use the tank, if the village buys their gas from them.

ƒÞ Heard Biggerstaff update the council about the work in front of the grade school. Three estimates were discussed and the commissioners decided to go with Owens Excavating Co. for $6,183. The school will pay 40 percent of this cost. This leaves the Village with the remaining $3,710. A motion was made and approved.

A motion was made and approved to present Village employees a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the IGA Store. The total amount not to exceed $425.00

ƒÞ Voted to continue the American Legal Publishing service at a cost not to exceed $1400.

ƒÞ Learned there will be a Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the village hall.

ƒÞ Donated $750 to the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group.

WHAT¡¦S NEXT

The Catlin Village Council will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 in the village hall.