PHILLIPSBURG — Phillipsburg council met on Dec. 28. The monthly meeting scheduled for Dec. 19 had been rescheduled twice due to scheduling problems and then had to be postponed when members’ work and illness prevented a quorum.
The Dec. 28 meeting was just in time to approve routine financial matters that had to be filed with the county by Dec. 31.
“Scan and email – I love it,” said Michelle Phillips, town clerk.
Other matters dealt mostly with the fire and street departments.
Council approved payment of $7,423 toward replacing the fire department’s 30-year-old extraction equipment. This is the village’s share of a three to one matching grant. Justin Saunders, fire chief, pointed out the recent $5,000 donation from Brown’s Nursery could be applied to this.
Although it was not part of the official business, he also told those present that the recent fire at Brown’s involved a work barn, no one was injured, and it was not suspicious in origin.
Street and Water Commissioner Wendell Harleman reported that the blocked storm sewer causing flooding at the west end of the village had been cleared.
The blockage, cleared by sending 2,400 pounds of water pressure through the sewer, was found to be mostly leaves and debris “over 40 or 50 years,” leading Council Member Shawna Newsom to say, “People need to stop blowing their grass in the streets.”
Council also approved the purchase of a box blade to grade dirt and gravel. Harleman located a box blade for $750, much lower than the $800 to $900 named by other sources and said Jesse Haines Way as well as other areas needed such grading.
Council Member Shawna Newsom pointed out this would be much cheaper than hiring a company to do the work each time.
The broken storm sewer on State Street has been fixed. The estimate had been $10,000, but when Harleman investigated closely, he decided the repairs those companies recommended were merely the method of installation in the past and only the new cover and the curb needed repair.
He purchased a new cover for $705, and suggested curb repair wait until all the curbs along that section of State Street were repaired.
He also asked if the reduction in his hours forced by financial reasons would apply after a major snowstorm. Council told him snow removal in excess of his normal hours would be billed under emergency expenses, with Newsom noting, “We can’t make the streets treacherous for the older folks in town.”
Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Meyers arranged to swear Newsom in as the new mayor at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4, necessary in case emergencies arise, and said Heather Craft and Hope Hoard, whose terms on council begin at the next meeting, could also be sworn in then.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 at the municipal offices at 10868 Brookville Phillipsburg Rd.
