LAPEL — Lapel residents may soon have the option to receive text message alerts to be notified of emergencies in the area.
Among business discussed at the Jan. 3 Lapel Town Council meeting, the council approved a cost to the town of $150 per month for the service. There would be no charge for residents.
Daniel Paull, a resident and town computer services business owner, gave a recommendation to have a text message alert available for residents, noting the system would give people a swifter warning of area dangers. Currently, the town website and Facebook pages post updates of emergency situations.
Police Chief Kelly Naselroad supported the proposed system, adding that alerts were used when he was with the Edgewood Police Department. “It cut calls in to the police department by three-quarters and frees up officers working in the office. It is very useful to the police department, and I am sure it would be for the utilities department, too.”
The notifications would let residents know of snow emergencies, gas/water line breaks and other major issues that might happen.
“I feel it would be a valuable tool even to let people know of changes to trash pickup due to holidays,” added Deputy Clerk Paula Lee.
A timetable to have the alerts available was not set, but town council president Deb Wainscott said she expected the service, which residents would be able to sign up for through the town website, to be offered soon.
The meeting, the first of 2019, including the election of officers. They will stay the same as in 2018. Wainscott will continue as president, and Tony Pearson will remain the council’s vice president.
The council did make some changes in member assignments. Tom Marvel will now be assigned the police department. He previously shared that duty with Pearson, who also heads representation of town utilities.
A new council member, who was to be named at a special caucus on Jan. 8, will take over parks. The new board member will take the place of Dave Taylor, who left the group in December.
The council, along with planning president Gary Shuck, continued discussions concerning water meters at the Pleasant View Apartments project. An agreement concerning location and cost remains a work in progress. There will be four two-inch water meters installed. Two will be for Building A, while Building B and Building C will have one each.
The council approved a recommendation from Paull on replacing old computers for both the wastewater and utilities departments. Due to funds, it did not approve the purchase of a computer replacement in the police department, which was listed as a third priority among the needs. Naselroad added that his department will be able to get by with its current system.
The police chief gave the council quotes on installing half-cages and window bars in four police vehicles. The council approved of the purchase of a 2019 Dodge Durango vehicle last month. Cost for the Durango upfit was quoted as $6,536.45, which includes installation. Three Ford police vehicles, already in use by the department, were quoted for $5,631.25 for parts and installation. The council tabled discussion on the cost for the upfits.
In other news concerning the police department, Naselroad said he would be doing interviews for new full-time department employees Saturday, Jan. 5. The council also approved of amending the 2019 Salary Ordinance, approved in the final meeting of 2018, for non-academy and completed-academy police officers. The non-academy officers were amended to $33,000 per year, and the completed-academy officers were approved at $34,500.
An update was given on Lapel’s new park, Bodenhorn Park, located at Brookside Road. The park board has used funding through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The park will have four ball diamonds, a playground, walking trail and one shelter. It is expected to be ready later this year.
In new business, the council approved the bid of Water Solutions to handle water plant cleaning.
The council set meeting dates for 2019 to continue to be the first and third Thursdays of each month.
