The purchase of a used dump truck along with the continuing
discussion on several properties in town were the highlights of the Exeter
Village Board meeting Tuesday, Oct 7th.
The first item on the agenda was a discussion on the 125
health benefit plan the village has been trying to replace for its’ employees.
Clerk Becky Erdkamp noted, “None of us are eligible for a Health Savings
Account or a flexible spending plan and we have decided to take it as part of
our wage.”
The board discussed this option and will pay the amount they
employees were previously given monthly in the flexible spending accounts as
part of their regular wage. When the employees are given their yearly
review any changes that need to be made will happen then.
The discussion moved on to the Tag Factory. Since the
last meeting the board has had an outside engineer come to inspect the building
and just received the engineer’s report. According to the report,
“the building is beyond any reasonable repair.”
Chairman Alan Michl, “We do not own these buildings
yet. They recommend we contact the owners of the building to see what
their plans are. What’s really sad is that it’s a cool building.
This is more of an information thing than anything. Becky will forward the
information to the owners.”
Board member Mitch Schlegelmilch responded, “I feel we need
to do something. I know it’s a costly endeavor, but who else is going to
do anything?”
Audience member Brian Murphy noted, “I would like to see
some of the exterior tag factory ornamental items salvaged that have historical
relevance. If the building has to come down the ground will have to be
compacted to 100%. I just want to make sure the board doesn’t go short-sighted
and make sure the land is buildable again.”
There was discussion on different options for covering costs
if the building has to come down. Schlegelmilch was concerned that the
owners would be upset about the village hiring an engineer.
Michl responded, “We have a letter from our village attorney
telling us we need to do something since we have bricks falling in the street.”
Clerk Erdkamp noted that they have had several reports of
roofing materials blowing on to main street from the building.
The Board discusses several nuisance properties in
town. Michl noted that he and Clerk Erdkamp will compose letters to the
property owners.
There was no progress made on a baseball equipment
shed. Murphy reported that the ball association has discussion redoing
the batting cage area which would involve the shed. The board decided
that they would purchase the shed and let the ball association decided where
they wanted it.
The Board reviewed a water lien on a property in town that
the bill needs to paid for by Friday. The Board approved the lien.
It was reported that Chairman Michl and Village Maintenance
Supervisor John Mueller attended the State of Nebraska surplus auction and
purchased a 1999 GMC dump truck with 130, 000 miles on it for $9800.
They
reported preauction prices were $13,500. They also purchased a salt and
sand spreader for $108 and an extra one for parts.
Mueller noted that he had received a bid from Magnum
Builders for the village hail damage repairs and it is less than the insurance
estimate. Mueller reported that the warranty on the roof was voided due
to the hail.
Mueller reported that he will get some gravel and he is also
checking on when the street repairs can be done. Board discussed possible
locations to start street repairs.
Clerk Erdkamp reported the July sales tax was $14260.61 and
the August Keno was $623.09. She informed the village that the library
computer died and a new one was purchased. She also passed along the
information that the librarian will be attending the Rural Nebraska Librarian
Conference soon.
The next meeting was set for Monday, November 12th.
