Sweetser council approves equipment purchases, hears department updates and tables liquor‑store tap‑fee decision

At its Jan. 9 meeting the Sweetser Town Council approved multiple department purchases, reviewed department reports and tabled a customer tap‑fee request for a proposed liquor store pending counsel action.

Marshal Ryan Hornback reported the police department logged more than 4,000 calls last year and requested approval to buy 1,000 rounds of target ammunition from the county sheriff's department for $230; the council approved the purchase by unanimous vote.

Operations Manager Patrick Kendall reported an INDOT delay and then the posting of an HSIP‑trail engineer‑selection RFP (responses due Jan. 23, 2025). The council approved a $21,700 purchase of a 9‑foot steel dump truck bed. Kendall also presented a $4,630.20 quote from B.L. Anderson for a custom motor/drive to replace an obsolete blower motor; the council approved that purchase. Kendall noted an Eagle Drive lift station low‑battery control board needs replacement (~$700) but no action was recorded at the meeting.

Council discussed a request from a new property owner at a prospective liquor‑store site about the required tap fee. After reviewing the sewer use ordinance and prior discussion, the council agreed to require the customer pay arrears on a residential sewer account before permitting the tap; town counsel Michael Hotz will draft a response and the matter was tabled pending that letter. The council also instructed counsel to draft demand letters for four properties with significant sewer arrears.

Kyle Taylor provided administrative updates including planned additions to police SOPs (BOLA Wrap and body‑worn cameras), distribution of the employee handbook for review, an INDOT invoice for $83,329.59 for the town's sidewalk share, and onboarding for Flock Safety cameras (locations set; administrator role issue being resolved).