At 5:30 pm on December 3, 2019, Clay Town Council met to receive updates on the tanks, hire a lawyer, ATV permit costs, and more.
   First item to discuss is the finances. Sewer experienced a deficit of $5 thousand [last month] due to the purchase of a work truck. This item was approved a while back, but they never found a truck to purchase until now. The truck is a 2016 Ford Escape. Water gained $8 thousand, and Town went down $800.
   The Town engineer (Erik) reported updates for the water projects. With access grant funds, they purchased a leak detecting device, Pierson’s slip will be repaired, and they will be working on replacing a faulty fire hydrant. As for the Maysel water tanks, they will look into moving the existing lower tank onto the Jarvis property. Terry Martin was in to confirm the hire of the municipal lawyer to bring all the legalities together to replace these tanks, and for the approval of the new position for the tank. They will have to drill into the ground to get these new tanks in, and they will need to make sure everything is covered.
   Mr. Martin (standing) recommended Wyatt Hannah as the lawyer, and given his experience, the mayor (Josh Shamblin), and the entire council agreed to hire Mr. Hannah. His cost will not exceed $15 grand. All budgeted into the grant funds. Mr. Martin also recommended hiring the bond council firm, Steptoe and Johnson. Once again, the council trusted his judgment, and decided to hire them.
   Construction B&O tax was tabled once again as they have not had any time to do research on the matter.
   Seen as how the post card contest was rushed, the council have decided to open it back up in the spring, and will last three months.
   ATV permits were then up for discussion. The council had to make a decision on what the price will be for a full year pass. After a bit of discussion, it was decided to be $35 for a year, and $10 for a weekend. They will be looking into having the office open for at least a half day on Saturdays in case anyone would want to come in for a permit over the weekend.
   At the end, Council member Jerry Stover, made mention of wanting the speed limit lowered in the area right before town on the Dundon side. With the roads belonging to the state now, he was advised to contact them to see what he would need to do to get it lowered. His reason is concern for those walking from the parking lot to the building, and being a little congested area. He doesn’t want to see anyone injured.
   Then the Ace Cub Reporter asked if the audit was over, and it most certainly is not. It has been around four months, and going back three years.
Next meeting will be held January 7, 2020.
JM