Back in July, the Carmi Township passed a vehicle policy for the Township and Road Department, ensuring that the vehicles will be used for Township purposes as well as logging mileage. Road Commissioner Chris McEwing took a stance against the resolution at the August meeting https://www.wrul.com/local-news/township-tables-the-only-agenda-item/, and this month, the Township board members and McEwing decided to amend a portion of it, but there were talks of rewriting the entirety of the policy.
The Road Department and the Township are different entities but share the same insurance company, TOIRMA. McEwing’s primary concern at last month’s meeting surrounded whether his employees or himself were “hung out to dry” if people noticed a worker making an errand stop after work. This month, however, McEwing focused more on safety. He mentioned that on occasion, in the early morning hours, he is unable to contact employees to assist in emergencies, such as when a tree is blocking the road. Therefore, his wife has accompanied him to some calls in case his safety is in jeopardy.
Township Attorney Greg Stewart was on hand to share his input and the best option for the Township.
“The issue that I have is when you have Township property involved and the use of property, I think the Township can establish rules about its use. Now, day-to-day work, what Chris decides to do and how he employs people to do it is not in your area, but controlling how Township property is used, especially for insurance purposes, I think, would be something this board could speak to if it involves that. That’s not telling Chris how to do his job, it’s just saying, you know, we can or cannot have property used in a certain way, so I get it, I understand it, but I think you do have some say as a board over Township property, but not over him to hell him how to do his job or how to function.”
The board, in a spirit of collaboration, agreed to amend the safety portion of the policy. This amendment authorizes non-employees to go on after-hour emergency calls if someone from the Road Department can not go with McEwing. The board also committed to revisiting the policy when the Township and McEwing can create it together, ensuring all voices are heard in the process.
Another significant development from the Township meeting was Trustee Mike Baxley’s decision to resign from his position on the Township board. The board, in a show of respect and understanding, accepted his resignation. Baxley explained his reasoning and provided a recommendation for his replacement, Chula Fleming.
“This is going to be my last meeting. I’m just too busy doing County Treasurer job and there’s not enough hours in the day so I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to go ahead and resign. It’s been a pleasure working with everybody here and I do have a recommendation of a replacement, I know I can’t vote on it or anything but Chula Fleming over there, she’s the secretary of the GOP. I wish I could stay, I wanted to, but this Treasurer job is just, it’s just too much, so it’s not enough hours in the day to do both, so like I said, it’s been a pleasure working with everybody here, and I appreciate the taxpayers for entrusting me in this job, it means a lot.”
The Township building will be getting a new roof thanks to a bid from Devane Prince with Integrity. The board will spend $48,399.28 for the roof, with construction possibly starting on November 9th and ending on November 11th.
Moving on, Supervisor Pam Deig shared with the board that the Indian Creek Township has requested that the Carmi Township help take over their General Assistance. Carmi already does the same thing for Mill Shoals, Herald’s Prairie, and Enfield.
Deig said that they have agreed to pay a $50 monthly retainer fee, but they will also cover the costs of the work.
“I think we need to discuss changes on that because I know there’s one that says, and I know that some of our state, depending on if we have to do it, we’re retainers just so that we’re here. If we have to process one of their applications, we should be charging by the time, and that’s what I talked to her about. Indian Creek Township Supervisor maintains and is responsible for all final decisions on granting and paying approved general assistance and emergency applications. The Carmi Township Supervisor shall charge additional fees and costs for continuation of administration services for all ongoing general assistance applicants.”
More for New Business, the Whistle Blower Assistance job was given to the Clerk, Tammy Coale. McEwing granted the Video Surveillance Policy to the board members; they will now have access to cameras at the Highway Department’s Road District building. The board approved putting money in CDs at People’s Bank at a rate of 4.32%.
Lastly, GA and EA assistance for the month of August was $3,965.08, with all 13 sign-ins from Carmi.