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Markle Town Council raises water, sewage rates at Wednesday meet

After no one spoke during a public hearing held at the Markle Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the council went ahead and approved two ordinances that will raise how much residents pay for water and sewage utilities.

Ordinance 2017-8 will raise customers’ water bill rates by 20 percent, from $19.25 to $23.10 for the minimum 5,000 gallons monthly charge. The rates will go up again on Jan. 1, 2019, from $23.10 to $26, reflecting a 35 percent increase advised by consultants at H.J. Umbaugh & Associates in order to pay for maintenance of the water towers and other expected utility costs.

Ordinance 2017-9 approves raising costs for sewage works services, reflecting a 20 percent increase in wastewater rates, bringing them from $34.65 to $42.35 for 5,000 gallons of usage in 2018 and from $42.35 to $48.74 for the beginning of 2019.

The vote on both ordinances was 2-0, with councilman Mark Hamilton absent.

In another item of business, with a little help from the Huntington Countywide Department of Community Development and Board of Zoning Appeals, a zoning ordinance was unanimously approved, paving the way for an amended town code ordinance to allow chickens to be kept within the corporate limits of the town.

Both ordinances were approved 2-0 on their first reading.

Ordinance 2018-1 am-ends the town’s zoning ordinance, modifying section 1020 that addresses livestock operations.

“It’s not terribly applicable to the town itself, but now it will be,” DCD Executive Director Mandy Woods told the council. “We kind of tried to mirror and address issues that might arise and leave a lot of flexibility up to you.

Under general provisions, F.1.c. changes the setbacks maintained for a minor livestock operation building, pen or confined feeding area from 50 feet to 25 feet from any side or rear property line. Under F.2.c., the setback maintained for an intensive livestock operation building, pen or confined feeding area was also changed from 50 feet to 25 feet from any side or rear property line.

In addition, Section G was added that stipulates several requirements for small quantities of domesticated livestock, including chickens.

Woods said the Zoning Board gave a favorable recommendation to adopt the ordinance.

Approving that ordinance paved the way for the council to unanimously adopt Ordinance 2018-2, which allows property owners of four or more contiguous acres to keep up to eight chickens. One rooster can be included in the lot, unless neighbors complain about it; at that point the rooster would have to be removed within 24 hours.

Also, an annual permit fee of $20 will be assessed and penalties and fines were outlined for violations of the provisions.

Jeremy and Brandy Dornseif, who reside on Lee Street and had asked the council in September to amend the town’s policy and allow them to keep their pet chickens at home, were in attendance at the meeting. They both said they were happy with the outcome.

“We can now bring them home,” Brandy Dornseif said.

On another matter, if the town’s volunteer fire department can act quickly enough, it may be able to save thousands of dollars on the purchase of a used rescue pumper to replace one that is now 20 years old.

The used pumper, in Texas, is six years old and in excellent condition, explained Markle Volunteer Fire Department Chief Duane Brumbaugh. The cost, around $339,000, could be split five ways among the townships that would share use of the vehicle. He said the trustees of the other townships are in favor of purchasing the used truck, adding the cost of a new pumper is over $500,000.

Some of the department’s personnel will make a trip to San Antonio, TX to look at the truck and possibly make a down payment to hold it. He said timing is important since there are other fire departments looking at purchasing the vehicle.

The savings could allow the town to purchase some new extrication tools to replace the old tools that will no longer be supported. The cost to the town would be a total of $75,000 to $80,000, including the tools.

“I think we’re on board,” said Acting Council President Jeff Humbarger, with the council directing the fire department by consensus to go to Texas and use money from the town’s Rainy Day fund to pay for the deposit.

In other business:

• Two bid openings for several street projects in 2018, part of the state’s Community Crossings grant program, were made.

The first, from E&B Paving, was for $187,505. A second bid, from Brooks Construction, was for $218,765.

The bids will be reviewed, headed by Town Superintendent Rick Asher, and brought back to the council at its next meeting on Feb. 21.

• Brian Clabaugh was reappointed to represent the town on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

• Town Marshal John Markley said the town is in the process of searching for a new deputy.

• Markley added that the town’s park board elected Asher as its president.

• Humbarger also thanked Asher and town employees for keeping the streets clear.