Carrier Mills sells dump truck, transfers Salem ownership
The Carrier Mills village board approved sale of the village dump truck, repairs and transfers of ownership of the Salem Cemetery and donation of downtown property to the village during Tuesday's meeting.
Mayor Louis Shaw opened the meeting with the announcement that the village fire department is raffling of a rifle to raise funds for the department. The department is raffling a Henry .22 caliber lever action "Fire Fighters Edition" rifle. The rifle is engraved on the receiver and butt stock with images of firefighters in action. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and are available from any Carrier Mills fire fighter or at the water office. The drawing for the winner will be held during the village Springfest festival.
The board approved the sale of the village dump truck. Having recently replaced the old vehicle with a new dump truck, the board accepted the bid from the Township of Stonefort for the amount of $1,500. Board member Tracy Felty asked if any known defects should be disclosed and Mayor Shaw stipulated the township understands that the sale is "as is." Board member Jennifer O'Neal was the only no vote.
Two items pertaining to the Salem Cemetery were next addressed by the board. A portion of the cemetery road had collapsed and been repaired and the village was being asked to pay for part of the repairs. Shaw pointed out that the village owned part of the road and the board unanimously approved payment of $1,500 for the repairs.
In a related matter, the board acted on transfer of the village ownership of part of the cemetery to the Salem Cemetery Association. Shaw stated that the village owned the largest part of the cemetery property and that he felt the transfer would benefit the village.
"Unless you are a large municipality, owning a cemetery is a liability, not an asset," Shaw said.
The board, in another unanimous vote, approved the transfer of ownership of the village property to the Salem Cemetery Association with the stipulation that, if the Association ever disbanded or ceased to function, the property would revert to village ownership.
The board acted on an offer from the Kirkland and Morgan families to donate a piece of downtown property to the village. The site of the old Angel Scent Flower Shop, adjacent to the village Post Office, has been vacant since the building collapsed and was demolished several years ago. The owners offered it to the city if the city would pay any outstanding taxes. Board member Bill Jensik stated that he was very much in favor of accepting the donation.
"I feel the property will be a great asset to the village," Jensik said.
Mayor Shaw also pointed out that the parking lot, used by Post Office patrons, is part of the property and that the whole property would be useful during the Springfest and Catskin Days festivals. The board voted unanimously in favor of accepting the donation.
After a brief discussion, the board voted to continue with the Bulldog Systems for trash service at the municipal building. Board member Tracy Felty brought to the board's attention the bill for services had fluctuated over the last few months from $77 to $89 a month, but Bulldog was now offering a rate of $79 each month for service. After discussion, board member Greg Prince made a motion to continue to work with Bulldog if the company could guarantee the $79 a month rate. This motion was unanimously approved by the board.
In other matters the board:
Heard a report from Police Commissioner Greg Prince that, in accordance with several statutes, the village police department had purchased and installed audio-visual recording equipment at the police station. This will be used for interrogations carried out in the station.
Heard a report from Fire, Water and Sewer Commissioner Jennifer O'Neal that the fire department had approved three new Junior Firefighters. Clayton Crum, Josh Paisley and Ethan Davis will now be working with the department.