We're called to order the meeting this evening of the January 12th, 2026 meeting of the Oldsville Town
Council. Chief, prayer. Thank you, sir. I have the father, once again, come before you. Thank you so
much for this little town. Thank you for the blessing you bestowed on these families and representatives
here. Just be with us always and keep us safe in our work. We ask you, say in Jesus' name, amen. Amen.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Whenever you're ready, Noel. Scott
Oldham. Here. Dan Swafford. Here. William Ellis. Here. Trevor Sager. Here. Pamela Samples. Here.
This evening, the first thing is the election of town council. First office is president. Anyone with
nominations? OK, I make a motion to make
Oldham president second Motion second. Is there any other nominations? Seeing none Scott Oldham sure
Dan Swafford. Yes, William Ellis. Yes, Trevor Sager. Yes Pamela samples. Yes motion carries Nexus for
vice president make a motion to nominate Dan Swafford as vice president second
Second are there other nominations? Seeing none roll call please Scott Oldham. Yes, Dan Swafford. Yes,
William Ellis. Yes, Trevor Sager. Yes, Pamela samples. Yes motion carries Good glasses tonight action
approve accounts. I'm sorry action approve minutes from December 22nd 2025 meeting so moved Motion second
all those in favor say aye aye any opposed any abstaining I
Accidents pay accounts payable vouchers and payroll vouchers Second motion second all those in favor
say aye aye any opposed any abstaining First resolution and only resolution this evening this evening
is 2026-01 the cancellation of warrants This is a standard housekeeping procedure. We do every year
for the council It is checks that are outstanding for two or more years as of December the 31st. I
What was the total this year I'm sorry five hundred thirty nine dollars and ninety cents Questions from
council Actions from council I Move we approve the cancellation warrants twenty twenty twenty six dash
zero one second Second Scott Oldham. Yes
Dan Swaffer William Ellis. Yes, Trevor Sager. Yes, Pamela samples. Yes motion carries Ordinance on first
reading this evening's ordinance 2022 stashes you were one amending the schedule of non-recurring water
rates and charges And ordinance authorizing the submission of petition to the IURC for 30-day filings and
to amend the schedule of non-curring water rates and charges, and the town received the order from the
IURC at the end of December, and this is what has been approved, so the council needs to amend the ordinance.
I would have no problems with the council passing it on first reading because the IURC gave you almost
exactly what you asked for. On the tap charges, actually, they gave you $5 more than you asked for.
Reconnection charges you have requested $60. They broke it down into during business hours as a $40
charge after business hours as an $80 charge and otherwise There would be no surprise to the Citizens
so I would have no objection to the council passing in our first reading Okay questions comments from
counsel first that question should this be ordinance 2026-02 I
because it's the same. But with the resolution and ordinance, would we have the same? I know
one's resolution, one's an ordinance. I just didn't know if that was OK to have them the same. Oh, I
must put that on there. The ordinance is supposed to be the 202601, and the resolution is supposed to
be 01226. Apologies for that. That was a misprint that I put on there.
Correct sorry Since we're contemplating and approving this on the first reading this evening is there
comments from public Seeing none and just as a housekeeping note, unfortunately our owl
Intranet device is not functioning appropriately. So zoom Does not allow interaction this evening? Apologize,
it's technical error. We're working on it. We'll have it fixed as soon as we possibly can Seeing nothing
in chambers. We will return back to council to see if there's a desire to move this to passage on first
read I move that ordinance number twenty twenty six dash zero one be submitted for first reading second
second roll call please. Scott Oldham? Yes. Dan Swafford? Yes. William Ellis? Yes. Trevor Sager? Yes.
Pamela Samples? Yes. Motion carries. I move that ordinance number 2026, that 01 be adopted on the same
day at which it is introduced. I'll second. Motion second, roll call please. Scott Oldham? Yes.
Dan Swafford? Yes. William Ellis? Yes. Trevor Sager? Yes. Pamela Samples? Yes. Motion carries.
And lastly, I move that ordinance number twenty twenty six dash zero won't be adopted. I'll set it motion
and second when you're ready. Scott Oldham. Yes. Dan Swaffer. Yes. William Ellis. Yes. Trevor Sager.
Yes. Pamela samples. Yes. Motion carries. There are no additional ordinances on second reading. There
is no old business under new business. The first order there is agreement to provide community access
television service.
2025 to 2026 the Cats TV asked for a 2% increase we budgeted $20,000 total for the contract this comes
in at nineteen thousand one hundred fifty five dollars We also had language put into the contract last
year. They started filming the Parks and Recreation Board the Planning Commission the zoning appeals and
For this year, the reorganization committee will also be included in the contract. At this cost? Correct.
And I would ask that the council cross out or amend the contract to redact the Ellsville Building Corporation
from the list. They meet once a year, five minutes in my office. So they are open to the public. I always
have no outpost notice and I put a notice on my door. But they do not need to be televised.
What is it, I'm sorry.
Okay, and I wasn't a hundred percent sure on that when they asked for all the meetings that could potentially
be videoed Other council questions comments is their motions from council I'll make a motion to approve
the agreement to provide community access television and
As amended, striking the Alexville Building Corporation. Office one of the. Companies are some one of
the meetings. Motion in the second Scott Oldham. Yes, Dan Swaffer. Yes, William Ellis. Yes, Trevor Sager.
Yes, Pamela samples. Yes, motion carries. Appointments to boards, annual appointments, various boards
and Commission to the Parks Board.
seats are open is correct and Are these people currently serving and want to remain in those positions?
Okay Is there anyone else that's come forward seeking these seats So for the public record Ronnie van
Dievander and Katie Michael Are the two that we're discussing? What is the council's pleasure? I would
be a point three a point both
Ronnie Van Dievender and Katie Michael. Second. Motion second. Whenever you're ready. Scott Oldham.
Yes. Dan Swafford. Yes. Oh, sorry. William Ellis. I'll go yes for me. Dan, if you want to answer for
me too. Trevor Sager. Yes. Pamela Samples. Yes. Motion carries. Sorry about that, Dan. Board of Zoning
Appeals, Travis Conyer. Yeah, he's currently a member of term expired.
Taken over partial term for a member who had passed and he's willing to continue serving and I'll note
that this is a presidential appointment That said are there any objections from counsel? Has anyone
else expressed interest no Mr. Conyers appointed. Thank you Next is proclamation for community risk
reduction. I
Proclamation I'm going to give you a brief presentation over what is community risk reduction Shouldn't
take very long to do this is prepared by Us at the fire marshal division with fire marshal Corman and
he is the deputy fire marshal Shane Garrett So what is community risk reduction it's referred to as
CRR you guys probably hear that more than anything
Community risk reduction is a strategic approach aimed at lowering all hazards within the community.
You have to identify the hazards, you prioritize the hazards, and then you implement programs with the
resources that you have available to you or requesting resources to help reduce their occurrence and
impact on a local level. It emphasizes collaboration amongst community members to address specific hazards
enhance preparedness and improve resilience against the disasters. So some of the programs that we offer
at Ellitsville for community risk reduction involve education and prevention. Education could be something
as simple as school programs to elderly programs for slips and falls. NFPA steps to safety is one of those.
Fire and life safety inspections is what we offer at the Fire Marshal's Division to help make sure all
public buildings are safe for the public to be in. The smoke alarm program falls under the prevention
section. We are in a partnership with the American Red Cross to where we go in and install fire alarms
in homes provided by the American Red Cross. Our American Heart Association training sites
So that's anything from CPR, first aid, all the way up to basic life support. We can instruct and certify
people and community members. We are also the American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed. It's the
premier Stop the Bleed bleeding control trauma training nationally. It's owned by and operated by the
Department of Defense. Project Lifesaver is
A very unique program. It's through Lieutenant Paul Ford with the Monroe Fire Protection District. He
heads that up under him. We also have a part of it at Ellitsville and that consists of a GPS tracker
that's given either to the wrist or ankle bracelet and we have a transmitter and that allows us to go
find people that like to go out and be lost sometimes. It's utilized quite frequently.
Certifications and continued education. So certifications is basically for us to be able to implement
community risk reduction programs. We roughly go through about 100 hours of training to be able to do
this. And the education part for continuance is educating our firefighters. So when they go out into
these homes, they go out into these businesses. It's stuff for them to look at and report back to us
so we have a broader span. So the future of...
the Ellisville Fire Department and Community Risk Reduction implementation through the creation of a
Community Risk Assessment or CRA continuing the programs offered and adding more aspects of the CRR
model because there's a lot more to the model than what we can do right now due to budgetary and personnel
restraints. We will not only have an active and thriving communities but safer ones.
Risk reduction is a shared responsibility that requires everyone's participation by working together,
investing in safety, and focusing on what we can control. We can reduce risks, protect lives, and build
resilience. These are some just of the things that we offer and we do for the community in action. Everything
from school prevention to public community events,
the American Red Cross home fire or home smoke installation. The trailer that you guys see in that corner
is a trailer that's used for fire prevention and it's provided by all the fire departments within the
county. So it's a program that we all go through together and implement. It's just some of it. Resources
for this that we use to create and compile everything was the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
the National Fire Protection Association, the Federal Emergency Management Association, or agency, the
US Fire Administration, and Vision 2020's CRR Academy. There's an old adage that Benjamin Franklin,
one of the founding fathers of the United States, but he's also considered the founding father of the
fire service. In 1752, he stated, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is still
true today in 2026.
You want me to go ahead and move into the proclamation? Sure. Okay. So, whereas every 23 seconds a fire
department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation, whereas fires nationally
are responsible for 2,920 civilian deaths and 75% of these fatalities in 2024 occurred in the home,
whereas fires nationally were responsible
for 8,920 civilian injuries, and 75% of these injuries were in 2024, were also related to fires in the
home. Whereas urban, or wildland-urban interface, or what we call WUE, related fires remain a concern
nationwide with multi-billion dollar losses as a result in 2024.
whereas the fire service responds to a growing number of medical calls for service, surpassing 90% of
the total call volume in some jurisdictions, whereas community risk reduction is a data-informed process
to identify and prioritize local risks, followed by integrated and strategic investment of the resources
to reduce the recurrence and impact, whereas the value of community support from local, state, and national
partners address community risks
is a recognized to meet the demands on paid combination and volunteer members of the fire service. Whereas
the goal of community risk reduction is to reduce the occurrence and impact of emergency events for
both community members and emergency responders through the deliberate action in areas of the five E's
of education, engineering, enforcement and emergency, response and economic incentive.
whereas most related and many medical calls for service are preventable, with the 5Es performed as part
of our Integrated Community Risk Reduction Program, whereas Monday, January 19th, is Martin Luther King
Day and nationally recognized as a National Day of Service and an opportunity for communities to reduce
risks to their communities through a series of educational outreach programs. Therefore, be it resolved
that the Ellitsville Town Council, during the week of January 19th,
2026 through January 25th, 2026 be designated as CRR week, a grassroots incentive of the fire service
professionals across the nation to raise awareness and the importance of CRR and the fire service and
the opportunity to make community safer. Thank you. I've got a copy of it here.
Okay, we need to circle back to some more appointments as Dan pointed out I skipped a whole bunch of them and
Okay so for twenty twenty five boards and committees. First the solid waste management board and you
do not want to do that anymore is it correct no. Things have changed I wanted to step down from that
board. Council member who would like to serve on the board.
I'll leave that unfilled for the moment. The Minerva County Emergency Management Advisory Board, currently
Chief Patton is involved. Do you wanna stay with that? Any objections from Council? He remains. Elstville
Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Farmer, you wanna remain there? Objections from Council? Animal Control Board,
Mr. Ellis. Objections? Okay, Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Again, I apologize. I need to step down from that board too. Okay Anyone that would like to take that
spot? Darla does that have to be a councilman? Okay, so is there a council member who wants to take
that on? Okay
It means probably about eight times a year. They usually take a couple vacations. Okay, well why don't
we put that one on the back burner? We'll come back to that maybe next week or next meeting. Health
and safety officer. Chief Patton, you want to remain as that? Objections? None. The BEDC board, Mr.
Ellis, Mr. Farmer? I'm good. Objections?
BEDC general which is the well and Denise objections Objections Okay, so all those except for metropolitan
planning and solid waste management are now filled those two will solicit Potential people for and come
back to the council probably next meeting and see if we can fill those spots Does that work for everyone?
There's two appointments for the MPO, one's policy and one's the technical advisory committee, and I
serve on the technical advisory committee. Okay. Okay, so that's why the other one would need to be
the council member. Yes. Okay. And do you want to stay with the technical advisory committee? Please.
Anyone? No objections. Okay. And you'll remain there. Thank you. All right, so we'll circle back to
that. And now we're down to the wastewater treatment.
plant current projects updates and discussion. I think at the end of the year I talked about getting
ready to do a lot of things last year we put in a new UV system. The one thing that's on the front burner
for me is you have a sheet that shows the things a few things that we've talked about doing.
is item number four of replacing the SCADA system. It's the original SCADA system. And for those of
you who don't know what SCADA means, it's system controls and data acquisition. And basically it allows
us to have a Monday through Friday staff or other plants that don't have SCADA systems have to have
a 24-7 staff. So this SCADA system came with the plant in 1997.
and there's no parts available for it. The first item of business was I solicited three quotes for control
panels and they're in your packet. Wessler Engineering reviewed these control panel bids and they said
they're all what they need and so it's a pretty obvious choice, I think.
I don't know if I need to read off all three, but the lowest price was from PAC IV at, I think, $104,995.
The price from the other two, one was from Precision Controls. It was $146,000. And the other one was
from MI Repairs and Service. I think it was like $154,000.
So if you would approve the PACIV quote, I appreciate it. It'd take about four to eight weeks to get
this panel built. This money will be coming out of the combined equipment replacement account that both
us and Eastern contribute into. I think there's currently, don't quote me on the exact price,
at least a million dollars in that account currently. So any questions about this item? Okay,
thank you. Is there motions from council? What would the motion? This is project updates and discussion.
I mean, what would the motion? I was anticipating a motion to allow them to purchase the control. Yes, yes, yes.
may not save the necessary purposes. Motion and second, we're ready. Scott Oldham? Yes. Dan Swapper?
Yes. William Ellis? Yes. Trevor Sager? Yes. Pamela Samples? Yes. Motion carries. So once this panel
is purchased and we get it in, you will, I mean, we'll see, I'll be,
presenting you a quote from Wessler Engineering to actually do all the integration. The price includes
computers, software, licensing, and all the stuff that goes to make this all happen. And then they integrate
all the equipment into it. We've also prepared it where we can also integrate our water towers, water
booster stations, lift stations can all be on one SCADA system and
that you can get on your phone, your laptop, your computer, anybody can look at it, but only certain
people can use the controls. So that'll be coming at the next meeting. So I'll be sending that out soon
so you'll be able to see it and review it. Also at the wastewater plant, we've already installed new
gates. I think what we have left is card readers. That was already approved in a council meeting.
and should be completed within the next couple of weeks. Other things is we're moving the dumping station,
ours at the old blue building is about to fall all the way in. So I'll be bringing bids to you also
at the next meeting. I've asked several people to bid on constructing that. Once we get it installed,
we'll move some fence around and all of our septic trucks will be entering and exiting at the wastewater plant.
read by card reader so we'll know who's come and gone and they'll be down there where our operations
staff will be so we can keep a better eye on them. And then the other thing I'd like to do and I'm trying
to get some prices for is the lab building and the administration building has original carpet,
original tile, needs painted, ceiling tiles are starting to sag. The actual
ceiling has no, it never did have insulation in it, so I want to do a little spray foaming in there,
help keep the cost for heating and cooling the building down a little bit, and just a little bit of
an upgrade at the administration building, which includes a lab and the offices. So. I'm also kind of
shocked that for only 50 years we need to go and do this. It's not been quite that long, but it's been
a while. But we are, we're trying to upgrade the plant, and we've done some exterior painting in the
past couple years. It looks pretty good, but
It just needs a little, I like for it to look a little nicer. So other than that, the plane's still
running very well after 30 years. I have a question for you on the cybersecurity for what they would
be doing for the system. I mean, does Wexler, is that set up to defend against bad actors and stuff
too, or? They actually specialize in
that kind of stuff, they take care of some major cities, Wessler does, and we're always from the Indian
Department of Environmental Management, they're always sending out emails to us all the time about,
because there has been some places hacked and some water systems affected. Mostly they like the drinking
water, but if they can cause a major spill for wastewater into a receiving stream, they will. So yeah,
we're on top of it all the time. Gotcha. I figured, I just,
Good question. Why are we charging people to pay online their water bill because people have complained
to me that no other bill you pay online like your electric gas where they don't charge. So why are we
charging people. I mean it make things easier people to pay online.
Part of the charge we get charged for having an ability If the resident would prefer to have an ACH
Using their bank account and routing number that does not have a charge and we have the ability to do
that through the utilities office but the credit card is an automatic we get charged it and So the others
freedom people don't know that
I mean, people just ask me why they're being charged to pay the bills online, because they don't pay
for anything else they pay online. A credit card transaction will have the charge. So if they want to
use their account and routing number, there's no charge for that. Oh, is that set up online that they
can do? Because it seems like I'm not 100% sure about because I don't really deal on that side of the
utilities. Because it seems like, you know, 2026 almost at 2025 caught myself. I know from
Electric and Centerpoint they have for gas they will charge the fee for credit cards But if I set it
up through bank track, there's no charge, but I can do it all mine So does anybody you could do both
here and you also? Sometimes some banks depending on where your bank will charge will actually charge
you to use that I know at B&B water system They get charged by going through I'm not going to
say the name of the bank, because I don't think it's appropriate, but they do get charged a small fee
by using the ACH. So it just depends on where you bank, and we try to make it as simple as possible.
Another option is filling out bill pay from your bank, and bill pay will, I know, I think the first
couple ones, at least from the bank I use, they've mailed them checks, but then after it was deposited
and verified, I think it just doesn't,
but my bank initiates it, it's not pulled from. So there's some options there for free. But as Jeff
said, it's gonna depend on the bank. We'll look and see how accessible and the thing is to make sure
it's as easy to utilize as it can be. Actually, Pam, I'll have the office staff email you
Multiple ways they can pay and what the charges are so you'll have it Yeah, so you'll be you can talk
intelligent when people ask you those questions That's it, okay next order businesses consultation for
the establishment of a fire protection territory I
Basically what we're looking for is I believe the part up for vote tonight is to have Baker Tilly do
a financial study for the Development of a fire protection territory between the town of Elksville and
Richland Township so I'm happy to answer any questions if everybody wants to know the difference between
a territory in a district and
or if it's any kind of legal stuff, I'd probably defer that to Darla. Questions from Council? Has this
got favorable reviews from those within Richland Township? I have talked to the three advisory board
and the Township Trustee, and they're in favor of at least starting this process and making sure it's
the right direction. Excellent. Just out of interest, how long have we been providing contract service
to Richland Township?
was it 47? I have to go to the historian. 1947, 79 years in concurrent, not one offs, right? And the
advisory board members and Richland Township trustee made it very clear they're 100% happy with the
service that Ellisville provides them, both the council and the fire department itself. And this would ensure
Whether it's a yes or no vote from the public and the councils on reorganization that they can continue
to get the same fire protection services with the same People that they've had for the last 79 years.
That's correct. All right So there hasn't been enough people within the township of people wanting to
have a different service No, so 79 years has been done successfully. That's correct. Are we failing
in any part? As far as I know no and I've not had any complaints from
town or township residents. I think everybody gets a pretty good bang for their buck. Yeah, just wondering.
You mentioned that we also are looking into moving a fire station closer to, what would you say, closer
to the Richland Township Center and that we have ongoing negotiations and discussions about building
a new fire station.
working on that too, so not only I think they're happy with service to Richland Township, but we're
in the process of improving that protection. Yeah, that's not an additional station. That's replacing
one that was built in 1970 with one person on duty, and there's four there now, so they get a little
snug in there. I just wanted to make sure that we were doing our due diligence, that something had not
occurred that this council was not aware of.
would precipitate the need for or the reason behind someone else serving a territory we've served diligently
for 79 years I know of no reason for Anybody to be upset with the service or the quality that we provided
them And we haven't raised their their Contracts appreciably other than what's negotiated between the
two parties for years. That's correct All right questions from counsel
I just thank you in the fire department for keeping Richland Township residents protected from any other
moves that other government agencies may wanna make, because I think this is crucial. Some people are
looking for a solution, looking for a problem, and we don't have one here, and we've gotten along great.
to 80 years. I'm sorry, I gotta ask another question. Just with the established fire protection territory,
we're not anticipating raising the rates for anyone, whether it's Oldsville or the township, immeasurably
compared to what they get now. So just because this sets outside the levy, we're not anticipating huge
contractual increases, are we? No, not at all. We don't have any intentions to go in where the fire
district's at with the cost of that.
So our cost will remain consistent as it has for almost eight decades. Sure, I mean, it fluctuates just
like gasoline or a gallon of milk, but no, we don't have any intentions of going up to the rate that
they've got. And it would be everybody, the town and the township. That's correct, that's correct. Not
paying for other townships and other portions. Any cost that's incurred in the Richland or Ellisville
is paid for by then. It's not affected by a township
on the other side of the county or anything. All right. And for the public, to make it clear, if an
organization does pass, when it passes, knock on wood, this becomes moot. Is that correct? That's correct.
So it's a protective measure. Yes. If the consolidation goes through, the territory just is assimilated
into the consolidation
and no changes. If the consolidation was not to go through, then Ellisville Fire still provides fire
protection to Richland Township, just like we've been doing. If you like your fire department, you can
keep your fire department. That's correct. You could have heard that before. I know. But we mean it.
We mean it. Like we have for 79 years. Yes. All right. So you need a motion from council to allow you
to explore this, correct? Yes, please. I will gladly make that motion to explore
the establishment of the fire protection territory with Richland Township. Second. Before we do that,
is there a public comment? Seeing none, we have a motion and a second. Scott Oldham. Yes. Gans Walker.
He had to take off. He had something come up. William Ellis. Yes. Trevor Sager. Yes. Pamela Samples.
Yes. Motion carries. Thank you very much. Now we come to privilege of the floor. Anyone having business
for this council that's not part of our normal agenda?
and chambers will move forward to supervisor comments being time manager. Okay. Yeah. I just want to
remind everybody there's a work session tomorrow for the reorganization committee. It'll be our third
meeting. It's actually a full meeting. It is. I don't think I'm sorry. Okay. I thought it was a work
session. Okay. So it's full meeting. I encourage everybody to attend anybody that doesn't know what
we're doing should come to the meeting.
and they're allowed to ask questions and be part of the process. This is probably one of the most important
things that the town of Ellisville's been involved with since I've been here and maybe forever. This
is not a pipe dream or a project that was anticipated two years ago. This has been
put on us by some of the ramifications of Senate Bill 1 that has to do with how we get our revenues.
There's a lot of components to why we should do reorganization. And I would be glad to come to anybody,
whether it's just a few people or an organization, and explain in general what we are trying to attempt to do.
Education's gonna be important and the key to the success of this project. So anybody anywhere that
needs to meet with myself or board members or any of the reorganization committee, I'll facilitate coming
to them and be at their beck and call to explain things. People need to get involved. We're getting
ready to send out a mailer. I think that'll be talked about tomorrow. We've got it all set up and ready to go.
And so soon enough, everybody that's a voter, registered voter will get the mailer with the pertinent
information on it. That's all I got to say. Six o'clock, yeah. Six o'clock, and then the next regular
scheduled meeting is, somebody help me.
next Wednesday at six o'clock as well. So tomorrow we're gonna be talking about objectives and what
we put into our plan that we push forward and so. We have a few more board appointments to make too.
Thank you. Subcommittees. Anyway, you need to show up or at least call and ask for somebody to come
talk to you about this. It's important. That's all I got.
the subcommittees be contacting the supervisors that's involved with the subcommittee? I'll talk about
the Parks and Rec morning at that. Yeah, I haven't, I need the contact information because I've been
contacting all the people who are appointed for the subcommittee, but I didn't have good contact information
for the ones appointed at the Parks and Rec. I just had their names and the names are so general I couldn't.
If they're there, can you point them out to us so we can? I don't, I only know one of them.
So I would have loved to. But yes, the answer's yes. Absolutely. Thank you. Go Hoosiers. Outside of
that, I think I'll keep my thoughts and comments to myself. Let that go.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you chief. We've all been here a minute.
All right, no further business. We stand adjourned.