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The North Judson Town Board this week adopted two ordinances that have been on their agenda for several months. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the town performed the third and final readings of their new cemetery rules and regulations ordinance, as well as the animal ordinance regulating domestic animals within the town.
Joan Haugh, Donna Henry, Jane Eleen Felchuk, Standing: Justin Davis, Josh Brown, Nancy Dembowski, Ted Hayes, Wendy Hoppe, Tim Cummins.
The North Judson Town Board recently signed a proclamation declaring 2013 “A Year of Health in Starke County.”
Nancy Dembowski, Joan Haugh and Ted Hayes, who are part of the Moving Starke County Forward organization, brought the proclamation to the attention of the board members and emphasized the need for Starke County to improve the health of its citizens.
The committee members informed the board that the organization was formed after learning that Starke County ranked 91st out of 92 counties in issues affecting health. Health issues permeate throughout quality of life issues such as economic development, education, levels of drug use and many other socio-economic factors.
The Town Board voted unanimously to declare the proclamation and offer support for the group. The board was invited to a forum on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox from 4:30-6 p.m. CT. The committee is looking for input on goals and suggestions to help Starke County be a healthier county.
Two ordinances in the town of North Judson underwent their first and second readings by the town board this week and are slated for their third and final readings at the board meeting on Feb. 4. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the cemetery rules and regulations ordinance and the animal ordinance were approved on their first readings.
With the bitter cold temperatures in the Kankakee Valley, North Judson residents are strongly encouraged to leave their water taps running just a little bit. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann told the board at their meeting this week that because of the very cold temperatures and the lack of snow on the ground, the pipes are particularly vulnerable to freezing.
Two ordinances are still in the works for the town of North Judson, but according to Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, those ordinances will likely be in place within the next month or two. One ordinance pertains to changes to the cemetery rules and regulations while the second regulates domestic and farm animals within the town.
Newly installed North Judson Town Board members Josh Brown and Justin Davis
The North Judson Town Board swore in their two new members, Josh Brown and Justin Davis, who are now filling the seats created during the general election. A public question presented to voters in North Judson on Nov. 6 asked whether or not the town board should be expanded to five members, and the overwhelming majority gave it their approval. Now, the two youngest board members are taking their seats on the newly-expanded board.
The two new members to the North Judson Town Board will soon take their seats, as Judge Charles Hasnerl swears them in before the board’s regular meeting on Jan. 7. Josh Brown and Justin Davis will then assume their new responsibilities as the youngest members on the board.
The public question presented to voters in North Judson during the general election on Nov. 6, 2012 was approved by more than 78 percent. Only 129 voters said no to the question of whether or not the town board should be increased to five members, while 480 voters voted in favor of the change.
She said the board members used a scientific grid format to rate each candidate before deciding on these two well-qualified men, and said the council is excited to work with them. Henry said she’s excited to know that there are younger taxpayers and community members who are willing to serve and bring a fresh perspective to things.
The North Judson Town Board is looking to the future as they approved a resolution to encumber some money from their paving funds over into the 2013 budget.
Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that in order to save money from a 2012 fund to be used in 2013, the board must encumber the funds, which requires the board to have a proposal and a contract with the vendor. The vendor must guarantee that the price will be the same when the time comes to perform the service, usually in the spring.
The North Judson Town Board approved a number of purchase orders for new equipment for the utility department. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the board approved purchases to replace worn-out tools and other equipment, and they approved the purchase of a set of heavy-duty backhoe forks. Henry said the forks can be mounted on the front bucket of the backhoe to allow it to lift items, making it easy to unload pipes, fire hydrants, or other heavy items that may need hauled.
The North Judson Town Board will soon grow in size from three members to five, and Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the board yesterday announced the two people who will fill those new seats.
Henry explained Josh Brown and Justin Davis, both younger members of the community, will represent the town on the board.
During an executive session held earlier this week by the North Judson Town Board, the board members reviewed eight qualified candidates for the two soon-to-be-open seats on the board. Since the public question on the General Election ballot as to whether or not the town board should expand to five members passed overwhelmingly, Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said the board must now choose two candidates to fill the two new seats on the board.
The town of North Judson is working on a number of projects, but Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry said they have just wrapped up the leaf pickup for the town. She said the crew made several sweeps of the town in November to make sure they picked up all loose leaves, and now they’re moving on to other items.
Henry explained the town is now working on fire contracts as they currently have bi-annual agreements with two other townships for fire run coverage. She said the fire department has an annual agreement with Wayne Township to send firetrucks out in response to calls, and they also have contracts with Jackson Township in Starke County and Rich Grove Township in Pulaski County.
The North Judson Town Board this week adopted their new salary ordinance upon its third reading, and the ordinance will soon go to the local newspaper for publication. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained the board also held the third reading of the zoning variance request by Osborne Realty, a business wishing to move their real estate office into a single-family residential building.
The Board of Zoning Appeals during their October meeting approved the business’s request, and the town board is now passing an ordinance to confirm the variance. The building will soon be rezoned to general business.
The town of North Judson has met the ever-nearing deadline for the drafting of an ADA compliance plan. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry explained that ADA Coordinator Doug Vessely presented the final draft of the ADA plan that he had developed, with details about what improvements have been made and what work must still be done.
Henry explained that the plan is basically finalized, and just in time – the deadline of Dec. 31 was getting a little too close for comfort.
