Jason Bauserman Contributing Writer Durbin Town Council held its April 21 meeting via teleconference, in keeping with CDC recommendations. Mayor Mike Vance, councilman Donald Peck and this writer met at the Durbin Town Hall. Councilmembers Mark and Thelma Smith, recorder Shereen Bailey and treasurer Jerri Sipe attended by phone. Council had concerns about the slow progress being made on the plans and the installation of new sewer lines. Several councilmembers had stopped by Hannah Engineering in Elkins and found the office closed. According to the contract, construction work was to begin by September 1, 2020 or grant money could be withheld. Council has heard nothing about an extension of the date with regard to the pandemic slow down. “We need a committee to get this project going before we lose it,” Peck lamented. Council agreed and Vance, Peck, Mark Smith and Don Jennings were selected to serve on the committee. They also decided that town attorney Bob Martin should be contacted about their concerns. Mark Smith made a motion to give Mayor Vance authority to sign invoices and return them immediately without a council meeting. It was duly approved. The mayor said numerous phone calls from U. S. Homeland Security have been left on the town answering machine. With the pandemic, free masks and food have been offered to the town. Smith told Vance to make an order for the town and for people of the community. Mayor Vance announced that treasurer Jerri Sipe has submitted her resignation. Smith graciously thanked her for turning around the town’s finances. The resignation was accepted. The treasurer’s job is posted in this week’s edition of The Pocahontas Times. Anyone interested in applying for this position should leave their name in the town letter box by May 4. The BFD Fire & Rescue Squad sent a letter to the town asking that the town fix the BFD’s graveled parking lot. The town dug through the lot last fall to repair a drain pipe. Smith suggested the town buy a truck load of gravel and cover the muddy spots. Council agreed. Council granted permission for Jason Bauserman to resume his research of historic documents. In a special, separate meeting, the Levy was laid.
