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Holton
attorney advises town to settle with former employee on claim
Beth
Rumsey, Staff Writer
The Holton Town Council heard updates on pending claims against
the town at the regular session on Thursday, August 13. Regarding
the case by former town employee Peggy Furst for unpaid insurance
claims, town attorney John Ertel learned that the proper paperwork
was not filled out by former clerk/treasurer Krista Bartoz.
Furst is asking for $2100.44 for medical bills unpaid by the insurance
company. Ertel told the town that the insurance benefits were
considered wages. Also, in reviewing the letter sent to the town
by Fursts lawyer, the town would be responsible for 10%
of the claim for every day not paid after ten days.
Ertel advised the town to settle for the original amount asked
by Furst. The motion to pay $2100.44 to Peggy Furst was unanimously
approved.
Board members learned that the small claim trial filed by Scott
and Misty McNeelan is scheduled for August 28 in a Switzerland
County Court. Former members of the town board signed a contract
with McNeelan to construct another shelter house at the town park.
According to Ertel, the dispute is over poor construction in building
the shelter as well as the question of items added to the supply
list not used for the shelter. Even though McNeelan claims the
shelter was completed on time, Town Council President Paul Hughes
said he had only received the keys to the shelter the week of
the meeting.
According to board member Angi Farrell, it was discovered that
Misty McNeelan had written an unauthorized check to herself at
the beginning of the year. According to Hughes, McNeelan was told
not to write her wage check for January 2009 because the board
had not decided if she would continue as clerk treasurer.
Farrell also informed Ertel that several unauthorized charges
toward the purchase of gas at the Holton Food Mart had McNeelans
signature on them. The motion to continue to go to court regarding
the matter was unanimously approved.
The board was updated on the annual inspection from Downey Insurance.
A few issues will need to be addressed including an outlet in
the town's office restroom that needs to be GFI compliant; all
fire extinguishers checked once a month and initialed; and eye
protection available for those who use the grinder in the maintenance
building.
The board learned of several thefts of gas from vehicles and an
RV on Broadway Street. The town marshal will patrol the area and
Duke Energy will be contacted regarding the installation of an
additional street light.
A request was made by the assistant clerk treasurer to send out
a questionnaire to sewer customers to update information regarding
names of renters as well as owners.
Farrell noted that a few of the liens placed on the property taxes
for overdue sewer bills had been paid.
All board members were in attendance along with town attorney
John Ertel to advise. The next meeting will be held on Thursday,
September 10 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Holton Community Building.
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