Why have the MTC meeting on a holiday?
Several people were upset about having a regular council meeting on a holiday – even to the point of calling the Ethic Commission. Was it proper to have a meeting on a day when the office is closed? Would people think we were trying to hide something? So, I decided to answer the question. From my perspective, here’s why:
When I ask about moving the August meeting to the following Monday due to my mother’s passing, I was reminded the regular meeting night is the first Monday according to ordinance, and I did not have to be there. So, I wasn’t at the August meeting. The rest of the council was. If they wanted to change the September meeting – they should have changed the September meeting. As a point of fact, when I returned to the office on August 8 and noted the upcoming holiday, an email was sent to council members. Two responded with no objection at that time. Later, as the grumbling made its way back to my office, I became less interested in changing the meeting night. If the passing of the Mayor’s mother does not qualify as a unique circumstance, surely the fading hours of a holiday weekend wouldn’t matter. After all, it was Labor Day, and the offices are always closed at meeting time. Furthermore, by then I had read section 1-102 of the ordinance and it states; “The Governing body shall hold regular monthly meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month” – without any mention of any special or unique circumstance. Therefore, the October meeting will be posted according to ordinance. If council desires to change the time and/or wording of the ordinance it should be added to the October agenda.
Good news
Three repaired water leaks in the last week have made a tremendous difference. The net result has lessened pumping hours at the plant and may cut the current water loss rate by close to half. As suspected, two of the three leaks were going directly into the sewer system and could not be detected by water coming to the surface of the ground. Also, this will make a difference in outflow numbers at the sewer plant. On a more serious note, the condition of the water lines repaired suggests “the Town must figure out a way to replace portions of its distribution system.”
911 Remembrance
This coming Sunday, September 11, will mark 15 years since the 2001 terrorist attack on our homeland. To pay tribute to our fellow citizens who perished on that day and to honor those Fallen Heroes as well as those who survived, and rose to the situation and responded in a way that made us all proud. the town will hold a Memorial Ceremony at The Gazebo on Main Street, Sunday, September 11, at 4 p.m.
At the MTC
meeting 100 years ago: from recorded minutes
9/4/1916 – A proposition presented to council recognized The Public Service Commission authorization for the Marlinton Service Company to begin a process that led to our current public water distribution system. The said meeting took two days to complete and continued the next night (9/5/1916) at 8 p.m. with discussions. The Honorable J. W. Milligan, Mayor, was given instructions to see the project through.
So, the lesson for me is; don’t be so uptight in the here and now. Whatever we may accomplish as a town council, another body will have to redo in a 100 years anyway.
Closing with perspective; In other business, various individuals were paid at a rate of $2.00 per day. Wilbur Gum was paid $1.00 for a half-day. Also, Council heard complaints that many citizens were storing gasoline at their homes, and this was a concern.