The New Harmony Town Board met last Thursday in regular session with many items on their agenda.

Councilman Roger Wade asked if the board would consider moving the police department to medical building on South Street once the town takes ownership. The reasons given were that the police department would be in same building with ambulance service and there are a couple of vacant rooms available. Councilmen Bill Cox and Councilman Joe Straw questioned the move and asked if they could discuss it more detail, it was tabled until next meeting.

Bobby Crider reported that the gas lines in the tile work east on Church Street have been lowered, they are now waiting for final approval from State Attorney Office, Crider stated they have had the information for a couple of weeks and does not what the outcome will be.

Ryan Farrar reported one hydrant on Tavern Street will be replaced and several other water hydrants will need to be replaced over a span of time. Farrar is getting together some numbers. The cost of replacing the hydrant is around $9800.

Sheriff Jim Fools said he received a letter from his attorney in Indianapolis regarding the share program within law enforcement agencies. He said he has no problems to bring his officers to New Harmony to work when they are short. The concern from the attorney is that they cannot use their own vehicles or their own weapons performing the duty of town marshal. He presented an Indemnification Agreement that the town needs to sign and then it is all go to use his officers. Another issue Fools brought up is that he does have available weapons that he will provide the town if needed. President David Campbell asked for the time frame on this agreement, Fools stated that he did not have a time frame and the board could look at the Indemnification and take care of it at the May meeting.

Student Carrie Allison came to the board representing the school regarding the school eating off of Styrofoam plates to try to keep the discharge of grease to the waste water plant. It was agreed that Farrar has been monitoring the grease content and that the school is far below the allowable amounts. It was decided they could eat off regular plates

And Farrar would continue to monitor for discharge.

Under old business the board approved the ordinance to only allow propane tanks up to 100 pounds in corporate limits of New Harmony. Under the rental property-owners responsibility the board tabled until later.

In other old business the board received the photos from Town Marshall Scott Champlain they requested on properties that could be considered a Public Nuisance. Champlain identified three locations. One on Murphy Street, One on South Street, One on First Street and Steammill (being one and the same property). Attorney Nathan Maudlin gave the definition that a nuisance would be health hazard, sanitation and comfort of others property surrounding these properties. It was found that all three of these properties were considered a "Nuisance". Owners would be issued a letter delivered by the town Marshall along with a copy of the ordinance and they are to take action. If they do not Maudlin said then the town could step in and clear it up. There are penalties if the town decides to enforce up to $100 per day.

Under new business it was announced Spring Clean-Up Day will be May 18. Regarding the Extension of Planning Grant End Date. Campbell said the grant is for one year after it was approved not after the contractor had been hired, since the town lost three months of the time they will ask for three months extension, Campbell said this is common in these grants.

In other new business it was approved that the Town Clerk Assistant would receive a $1 raise on the hour beginning May 1, 2007. When they budget comes in they then will address all employees pay.