May 20th 2005

May Village Council Meeting

     Income tax evaders and a proposed drainage project for the north end of town  took center stage at Sherwood Village Council's meeting Monday night. The village received a letter from the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) asking what to do about local residents who do not file their taxes or simply do not pay.

    RITA suggested three ways to handle those not paying the village income tax: by a subpoena program in which individuals are cited to court, a letter program, or doing nothing. Council decided to go with the subpoena program, which will first send letters to residents about the tax and then subpoena them if no action is taken. "Because we have a tax we need some sort of consequences for not paying," village Clerk-treasurer Dawn Buskirk said.

     Council also talked about the proposed drainage project at the north end of town. The goal of the project is to help prevent flooding in the area.
Fanning/Howey Associates are working on engineering the project. The company wants to use cameras to inspect the existing tiles and examine the current drainage system.

   Council also talked about the cost to tie into the sewer line at the Fairview schools campus. The village would like to meet with Central Local Schools officials to discuss raising rates. The school district currently pays $600 for service and a $865 tap fee a month to help pay for the debt of construction the line to the schools.

In other business, council:

- heard work at the water tower was completed. It is currently pumping about 80,000 gallons a day.
- heard Hicksville Tire had the lowest bid for backhoe tires at $368 each.
- looked into purchasing a pressure washer to wash village vehicles.
- talked about street signs that need to be replaced or added, including more "Children at Play" signs at Moats Park.
- talked about the possibility of getting a mower from Archbold Equipment. The village would like to try it before action is taken.
- talked about getting quotes for the repaving and widening of Wilmont Street.
- heard the zoning board would like council to approve the new zoning codes soon. They wanted to remind everyone there is an ordinance that states no new zoning permits, including replacement trailers, will be available until the updated zoning code is approved.
- heard the fire department received an $8,000 grant for turn-out gear.
- heard Firefighter Randall Williams resigned from the department because he has moved.
- heard the weather siren will be worked on today.
- discussed Heritage Drive and when it would be completed. Nothing was finalized.