NO BURN Requested for Village of Atwood
By Doris Elmore
Staff Writer
A request for a No Burn ordinance for the Village of Atwood was brought before the board at their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 14. Atwood resident Bernadine Andrews attended the meeting to talk to the board asking them to consider passing an ordinance not allowing burning within village limits. This will include yard waste, leaves, garbage, etc. at any time. Andrews stated that her husband has COPD and there are a lot of people with asthma & allergies making it difficult to breathe when residents are allowed to burn.
Also complaining about the burning was Darren Soard, Atwood Village Employee and resident. He said there have been times when the smoke is so thick you can’t see the stop sign close to his home. He said he would like to live and raise his son in a cleaner air environment.
Soard said the board might consider curb side pick-up schedule if needed. There is a dumping area where people can take their yard waste. He said residents need to do their part for the health of others. The village tries to burn at the dump when the wind is calm so it doesn’t bother the residents.
The board said they would look into the matter and see what can be done.
In other businesses, Village President Davey Herring thanked the Atwood Fire Department and Atwood Chamber of Commerce for the nice parade and bringing Santa, Mrs. Claus and treats to the children of Atwood. Herring thought it was a great event for the village.
The board approved expenditures totaling $44,274.43.
A discussion was held on a request for the board to add a street light on North Juniper Dr. The board tabled the request until they could do a study on this subject.
The board approved the 2021 calendar year for village board meetings.
The Bethel Tabernacle Apostolic Church has been using one of the buildings on Main Street for the past five years. The board approved a motion for a special use permit allowing Carolyn Tournear to continue for another year.
Ordinance 20-O-8, an ordinance levying taxes for the fiscal year 2020-2021 was passed by the board. Village Attorney Kenny Crossman talked to the board about the levy and explained maximum rates. He said contrary to what was discussed at an earlier meeting, the accounts are healthy.
The board approved Ordinance 20-O-9 for surplus property sale of a 2008 Ford F-250 Super Duty pick-up truck, vin number 1FTNF20518EE05519.
Trustee Allen Kilber told the board he has been approached as to why the Atwood Village Board did not make a donation to the A-H Christmas Needy Fund. Attorney Crossman that it is taxpayer’s money and the board does not have the spending power to use the money to make donations. It was his recommendation the board not make a donation using taxpayer’s money. If they want to make donation personally, that is their choice or if the board has had money donated to the village to be used in this manner, they are allowed to do so.
The board made a decision to waive the liquor license fees for Michael’s Tavern and Kel’s Place plus waive gaming license fees for Kel’s Place for the next renewals.
A discussion was held on the possibility of the village sharing the costs for an approach and sidewalk at the United Church of Atwood. It was decided there was nothing in the ordinances about this. Scott Harris said the church could have their bidder separate the cost of the approach with the rest of the sidewalk and bring the cost back to the board. The subject was tabled until this was done.
The board went into Executive Session for discussion of employee performance and merit salary increases.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 7 p.m.
