By JESSICA BRICKER
Zanesville Town Council members are at odds about whether another person should join their ranks.
The discussion at May’s meeting of the council is not the first time the idea has been brought up. The town’s legal counsel, Adrian Halverstadt, led a discussion in October 2021 about Indiana’s Open Door Law, the impact of town business-related conversations on compliance with that law, and the possibility of adding a member to the council.
According to notes from the council’s May meeting compiled and provided by Clerk-Treasurer Julie Christian, multiple town residents have approached council member Barbara O’Connor about adding a fourth member.
Pastor Steve Whetstone noted adding a member could “foster healthy debates. He also cited issues with compliance with the Open Door Law as the council membership currently stands at three.
Council President John Schuhmacher and Vice President Jack Blacksten were not in favor of adding another member. Blacksten said such a move should wait until the town adds more subdivisions — which may not happen.
Christian also shared information from the 2020 Indiana Elected Municipal handbook, which said the division of responsibilities should be outlined via a town ordinance. She will check with the town’s attorney on the matter.
During the town’s stormwater meeting, which followed the council meeting, Schuhmacher suggested the town sign an engineering contract with DLZ even though the town currently has a contract with Abonmarche through 2022.
Christian expressed concerns that signing a new contract would be in violation of the current contract, adding that she would not be comfortable signing a new contract without reviewing the previously signed documents.
O’Connor asked if her fellow council members didn’t feel the town was big enough to add an additional council member, why did the town need two engineering firms? Christian said no motion was made to accept a contract with DLZ.
Also during that meeting, Schuhmacher apparently presented an incomplete form that would give the town access to a property and the form wasn’t one that is provided by the town’s engineering firm.
Christian and O’Connor both agreed it would be best for the town if an original form was properly filled out, but Schuhmacher disagreed. He said he had it reviewed by an attorney in Wells County and was advised it’s a legal document.
Christian will be talking to the town’s attorney about that matter as well.
In other business during the May meeting:
• The town’s master plan survey is still active and can be filled out at thrivezanesville.com
• The town hall will host a large trash bin on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 7 a.m. to noon. Town residents can get rid of trash, and there will also be a trailer for metal collection. Electronics will not be accepted.
jessica@news-banner.com
